Truro's City Hall, home to the Hall for Cornwall, has received a £2.5 million boost thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The National Lottery-funded project will conserve and redevelop the Grade II listed building.

Constructed in 1846, the site has been a part of civic life in Truro for 350 years, as a market place, a court, a fire station, and much more. A community campaign nearly 30 years ago saw it reopen as a theatre hosting shows from musicians and dancers to Christmas pantos.

The Revealing City Hall: One Building, 1265 Voices project will see this community building repaired and reinvigorated alongside an exciting and participative activity programme, which will bring the site’s rich community heritage to life through workshops, events, training and volunteer placement opportunities.

Julien Boast, Director of Hall for Cornwall said: “It’s always a thrill and relief to know that everybody’s hard work here has been fully recognized. We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support and after all the research and preparations so energetically undertaken, we are now eager to unleash our building’s cultural and heritage potential and give expression to this enormous confidence in us”.

“Over the years, Truro City Hall has been many things to many people. Courts of Justice, skating rink, food market, rifle range, jail, theatre and seat of political power. It has survived fire and more than one economic downturn, provided a platform for civic unrest and played host to award-winning shows.

“The National Lottery-funded project will enable people to discover the evolving heritage of City Hall and its place in an emerging city, through a ‘voice-scape’ of people past and present and a host of other creative innovations that will tell its very unique story.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Hall For Cornwall’s rich 350-year history will be revealed in an enhanced public building. We are particularly excited about the number of people, young and old, who will be involved in the building’s future through education and training programmes, volunteering opportunities and activities connected to their local heritage.”