The future of the Leach Pottery
Our plans are to create a world class site that matches our international reputation. We aim to create a community hub where local people can come together to train, develop their creativity, improve their wellbeing, support each other and bring clay to life. Through this we will contribute all year round to St Ives.
Our proposed development was part of the successful St Ives Town Deal bid to central government.
We have also recieved funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and funding from the Arts Council.
As part of those plans we have introduced seven new roles across the organisation to help us to develop further.
What the development will mean
A new Learning and Production Centre to provide more classes and workshops and increase pottery production
A new reception and cafe building
Refurbish and extend the existing museum to include an introductory gallery, hands-on exhibits and a trail
Revamp the existing shop in the listed Pottery Cottage
Create a temporary gallery for shows of contemporary pottery for sale
Convert the 2008 Cube gallery into an archive study centre and library
Improve facilities for visiting artists
Leach Pottery plans in more detail
Our capital investment in a ‘living heritage asset’ will make a significant contribution to the vibrant culture of St Ives and position the Leach Pottery as a central community hub. The project focuses on all three objectives of the St Ives Town Deal:
Supporting the health, wellbeing and aspirations of all residents in life - through creativity in clay, training and jobs.
Creating opportunities for young people which allow them to flourish – through our community and education programmes, improved accessibility and local partnership working.
Embedding sustainability, green growth and growing a year round economy - through reducing our carbon footprint, creating year round jobs and increasing a proven out of season tourism offer.
Production, learning and community activity as well as the visitor experience are severely restricted by the current layout at the pottery. The layout and mix of buildings are a result of ad hoc development over the past 100 years and this is a rare opportunity to rationalise the site and increase its capacity through a coordinated design which has been developed based on 12 years of running the site as a working heritage asset.
A major strategic redevelopment of the site will enable significant improvements in community engagement, education, production and sales, training and the overall visitor experience.This project will focus on capital investment for production and learning. Capital investment will maintain and enhance a unique skills-based heritage asset for the benefit of St Ives by:
Increasing the ability to employ skilled craftspeople, growing the apprenticeship scheme, increasing productivity and broadening our customer base.
Enhancing the community skills programme - delivering more classes and projects, increasing participation by our target communities.
Increasing support for local enterprise development – including more mentoring, skills development, and access to international audiences – supporting recovery during COVID-19.
Increasing the capacity of our school’s programme and improving the quality of the experience.
Supporting the delivery of more commercial education programmes – attracting visitors throughout the year.
Reducing environmental impact through adoption of more environmentally friendly technologies.
Town Deal Fund – where is the money from and what is it for?
The Government Towns Fund provides town deals grants of up to £25 million to foster economic regeneration, stimulate investment and deliver vital infrastructure. St Ives was successful in bidding for the fund and allocated £19.9million by the Government to the transition to zero carbon whilst creating new jobs and opportunities for existing and future residents and recovery from Covid-19.
There are a total of eight projects in St Ives and you can read more about them here.
What happens next?
We will continue our programme of community consultation events. Stay up to date on our Live Updates page.
Match funding will be sought from other funders 202
Temporary Kiln Shed in the car park to allow us to continue to make Standard Ware onsite
Phase 1 build 2024 - Starting onsite April 2024
Phase 2 build 2025 - restoration of historical buildings & new entrance starts in 2025
Complete summer 2026
Get involved
We have created a Pottery Development Forum got anyone who wants to help us get the best from our project. If you would like to find out more and are interested in joining the Pottery Development Forum, please contact Libby Buckley: director@leachpottery.com
