Creative Kernow has officially received planning permission to replace the buildings lost during a fire at Krowji three years ago.

The announcement was made as the organisation celebrates 40 years of supporting the Cornish creative community with a special event next week. 

It gives Creative Kernow the exciting opportunity to reconstruct and further develop the creative hub.

This comes after the unfortunate fire damage that occurred in May 2021.

The Krowji site, located at Blowinghouse Hill, was engulfed in a fire so severe it required the deployment of several fire engines and up to 11 pumps, a water carrier, and an aerial ladder platform.

It resulted in extensive damage, with the studios in the North Light Building being completely destroyed and adjacent Creative Kernow office spaces suffering water damage.

Notably, 15 tenants lost their studios and other studio holders experienced significant smoke and water damage.

The site includes the Old Grammar School and Old Schoolhouse, part of the original 1907 Redruth Grammar School. It was developed through the 20h century, before being merged with the adjacent Tolgus School in 1976 to form Redruth School.

At the beginning of the current century the original grammar school site was made redundant and was acquired by Cornwall Arts Centre Trust, now Creative Kernow. 

Creative Kernow has recently reached an impressive milestone celebrating four decades of enriching the cultural tapestry of Cornwall through unwavering support and investment in creative endeavours.

It is hosting a 40th birthday party at Krowji on Friday, June 28 from 2.30pm, and anyone who has been a part of their journey is welcome to join.

The event will bring together many people who have played a part in the evolution of Creative Kernow with creative workshops, music and comedy performances, exhibitions and much more.

The organisation has always been at the forefront in providing vital backing to the creative community.

Over the last decade alone, Creative Kernow has secured around £20m in funding to help support and elevate the Cornish creative industries, simultaneously contributing more than £30 million to the Cornish economy.

Chief executive for Creative Kernow, Fiona Wotton, said: "For the last 40 years Creative Kernow has championed creativity as a force for positive change in Cornwall.

"I am so proud of our small team – it is heavyweight in terms of connections, expertise and energy which have catalysed a new confidence in Cornwall’s cultural identity and helped grow our creative economy."

(Image: Creative Kernow)

She continued: "We have a lot to look forward to with excitement building for our Krowji Phase 3 development, the launch of our new creative business support programme and numerous projects in the pipeline.

"In these uncertain times, we need creativity more than ever to solve problems and make sense of the world and I can’t wait to see what challenges we tackle next.”

Since its establishment in 1983 as the Cornwall Arts Centre Trust, Creative Kernow’s influence and support have been instrumental in shaping the cultural landscape of Cornwall.

From its humble beginnings in Truro, where a grassroots campaign saved the Old City Hall from becoming a supermarket, to its redevelopment into the now-renowned Hall for Cornwall, the organisation has consistently prioritised sector support over self-promotion.

In 1999 it was successful in its European Social Fund bid, which established a mentoring programme based around business panning skills for small businesses, catalysing their transformation into a dynamic entity championing creativity in Cornwall.

This saw the launch of their rural touring programme, Carn to Cove, in 2001 and the evolution of their flagship project in 2005, which developed offices and studios for the Creative Industries at Krowji, now home to over 200 creative businesses.

Former director of Creative Kernow, Ross Williams, said: "I’m incredibly proud of what’s been achieved over the years thanks to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of people – fellow employees, trustees and all those who helped to develop Creative Kernow’s range of services and projects – and it was a privilege to be part of that journey."

As the fundraising for the development continues, the organisation looks ahead with anticipation, ready to rebuild and foster Cornwall's creativity.