Community Building Project
The main aim of this project was to purchase the Old Blacksmith’s Shop in Mawnan Smith along with some land at the rear of the premises. The building will then be restored and upgraded to required standards to enable it to be re-opened as a working blacksmith’s shop. The land behind will be developed to incorporate 133.3 sq. m. of flexible workspace.
The workshops behind the smithy are rented out as premises for traditional or contemporary creative industries (specifically businesses that produce and sell art and craft). The aim will be to support emerging art and craft business with a competitive rent, the benefits of a good position, a ready supply of visitors and joint marketing opportunities. Taken together, the units will complement each other (and the surrounding businesses) and provide a focal point to generate new employment in a village which has few opportunities for quality local employment.
The completed project will provide a focal point for the village in the form of workspace for a working heritage, art and craft centre. The aim is to encourage visitors, en-route to the larger attractions in the area, to stop in the village to visit the centre and make use of the surrounding businesses.
The long term goal is to contribute towards the countrywide aspiration to move towards a more even spread of visitors throughout the year, with a slackening of peak demand (reducing the environmental and social stress associated with mass tourism) being replaced and augmented by an increase in visitors during the extended season.
The overall project has the following distinct elements:
- The purchase and restoration of the old blacksmiths in Mawnan Smith – a Grade II listed building
- The re-establishment of a working blacksmiths combining old and new methods, and using it as a working heritage showcase for visitors, educational visits, and workspace.
- The development of additional workshop space to be let to creative industries
- The creation of a small but significant visitor attraction
- The creation of working heritage links with local museums, visitor attractions and educational establishments
This project is now complete
