CORNWALL Museum and Art Gallery is celebrating reaching 50,000 visitors in the last year, increasing from 28,000 four years ago.

The former Royal Cornwall Museum in River Street, Truro, has undergone a significant transformation since being at risk of closure in 2022. Pre-application advice is now being sought for interior demolitions, alterations and refurbishment to further enhance the existing space.

Home to more than one million artefacts, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is the region’s largest museum for Cornish heritage, history and culture. Among its collections are the world’s earliest example of mining, a Bronze Age antler pick and shovel; and the largest assemblage of Cornish materials, spanning 400,000 years and demonstrating wealth, craftsmanship and far-reaching trade networks which dismantle the myth of Cornwall as isolated, instead revealing a place with expertise and international links.

An extensive capital investment project attracted £2.3 million of Shared Prosperity Funding from central government and saw the redevelopment of the Nature Gallery, the Heart of Cornwall Gallery and the Mineral Gallery and its world-renowned collection; salon-style hanging in the building’s upper gallery, and a refreshed approach to exhibitions focused on increased opportunities for interaction and play.

Earlier this year, the museum was awarded £440,000 through The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop its plans for the final phase of the Grade II listed building’s transformation, which will encompass further upgrades to the visitor experience and works to its educational facilities.

The brief includes flexible gallery space for temporary exhibitions and digital presentations, liaison with appointed specialists on the redesign of the museum, a new permanent exhibition, improvements to the library and archive (including study area), lift and stair access, and the realignment of the cloakroom and toilets.

The aim, according to the planning statement, is to grow visitor numbers to 60,000 by 2027 and engage with more diverse people. The pre-application - an initial feasibility enquiry - has been submitted, and the process of community consultation has begun, with events and activities taking place throughout the summer.

The Board of Trustees, chaired by Hall for Cornwall chief operating officer Julie Caplin-Grey, welcomed several new trustees in the last four years, bringing a range of experience to support the cultural and physical transformation of the museum.

Museum co-director Bryony Robins said: “From the beginning, we’ve known the museum is not only important to the community but also plays a fundamental role as home to Cornwall’s heritage, identity and story.

“Cornwall deserves a world-class museum and the transformation and increase in visitor numbers proves local people, schools and visitors want to engage with the region’s history in a meaningful way.”

Volunteer Annie Baker said: “It’s been incredible to be part of the changes to the museum, and we’ve seen a real shift in how visitors are engaging with the collections. The exhibitions bring to life the many different stories of Cornwall and give visitors a true insight into the people and places that shaped the Cornwall we know and love today.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

See pre-application PA26/00521/PREAPP on Cornwall Council’s planning portal.