Spotlight on.... Bodmin

This is the first of a new series of features focusing on specific parts of Cornwall and their efforts at regeneration, rebuilding and reconstruction.  We begin with Bodmin and community organisation, Bodmin Futures, which was set up as part of the regional Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, with the aim of undertaking projects which will deliver benefits to Bodmin and the surrounding area.

The project is working in partnership with Bodmin Town Council, Bodmin Chamber of Commerce, North Cornwall District Council, Southwest Regional Development Agency, Cornwall Enterprise and many other public and private sector organisations,

Bodmin Futures projects include:

Revival of Foster Hall
The plan is to revive Foster Hall, which was part of the Foster Block on the St. Lawrence site as a multi-purpose performance space and conference centre. Until relatively recently, plays and operas were performed and dances held at Foster Hall and the entire block is one of significant architecture and interest.   The plan aims to provide:

• First class facilities for performing arts and meetings - for local organisations as well as being able to attract visiting artists
  
• A first class venue for conferences, including an auditorium with state-of-the-art audio/visual facilities and accommodation

Foster Hall and the building immediately around it represent about 15% of the Foster Block's 12,000 square metres of floor space.  It is hoped that the rest of the Foster Block will be developed for mixed use including offices. 

Promoting Bodmin and the Surrounding Area as a Business Location
By far the biggest and most ambitious office project in the area is the Regional Development Agency's Beacon Technology Park.  The plan is to create 6 blocks of prime B1 office space totalling in the region of 18,000 square metres.  The first block involves the conversion of the historic building, Carew House, which was part of the St Lawrence's hospital.  Work has started on this conversion and completion is expected late in 2008.
To support this and other commercial property projects, Bodmin Futures plans to work with other stakeholders to promote the area as a business location.  The case needs to be made for major companies, particularly in the technology fields, to locate units in the area.

Bodmin Futures Centre
To provide an environment suitable for new and small businesses to develop, Bodmin Futures has set up a fully furnished and equipped office space in which desks can be rented on a weekly basis.  The longer term leases, requiring substantial commitments and part of the conventional office space market, are a major barrier to business start up and the aim of the Bodmin Futures Centre is to eliminate that barrier.  It is intended that businesses that are first established in the Centre will move on into larger premises, perhaps at the Beacon Technology Park.
It is also intended that the Centre will be a focal point for services to new and small businesses from such organisations as Peninsular Enterprise, the Enterprise Trust and banks etc.  The Centre is located in the Bodmin Business Centre and opens on 3rd December 2007.