THE New Life for City Buildings project has provided almost £1.3million of grant funding to support Truro schemes transforming the empty upper floors of city centre buildings into high quality living and working space.

Once work is complete at the end of 2026, there will be 22 additional residential properties, providing new commercial space and homes for at least 50 people, supporting the regeneration of the local economy and protecting some of Truro’s urban heritage.

Led by Truro City Council, the New Life for City Buildings (NLCB) project was awarded £3.3 million of Town Deal funding in 2024 to revitalise the city by refurbishing and repurposing unoccupied buildings and floors. Almost £1.3 million was allocated to support schemes bringing empty spaces above retail shops back into residential or commercial use, with the remaining £2m ringfenced for buying and regenerating unused buildings.

Truro Regeneration Company CIC (Regenco), the organisation set up to deliver the project, has awarded all the funding allocated to the NLCB project to 10 individual schemes, unlocking over £1.8 million of private sector investment in the city. Earlier this year, the first scheme to be awarded a New Life for City Buildings grant was completed in New Bridge Street, with residents due to move into the flats created; while the final grant has been awarded to the owners of 10 Frances Street.

Regenco chair Rupert Hume-Kendall said: “I am delighted by the success of this project and look forward to seeing all 10 schemes completed and people moving into their new homes by the end of next year.”

Truro mayor Chris Wells said: “I am very proud to be associated with this project, which will help revitalise the heart of the city. It demonstrates how Truro City Council is taking a proactive approach towards regenerating our city centre ... We are leading the way in delivering ‘living over the shop’ accommodation in line with policy EJ2 of the Truro and Kenwyn Neighbourhood Plan.”

The first grant of £147,680 was awarded in November 2024 to the Truro Development Company Ltd, owned by husband-and-wife Tony and Cynthia Martin. The couple were seeking to convert an empty three-storey building in New Bridge Street - a former restaurant - to provide a commercial unit on the ground floor and two two-bedroom apartments on the upper floors.

“The support we received from the NLCB project not only enabled us to undertake a bigger scheme than we could deliver on our own, but also ensured we could deliver it to a higher standard,” said Tony.

Nine further grants have been awarded across the centre of Truro. These include 24 King Street, a Grade II listed building with So Sweet on the ground floor and a two-bedroom duplex flat upstairs. Project manager Paul Harrison said £149,574 grant funding made the scheme “financially viable where previously it would have sadly been dismissed”, adding: “This would have been an enormous shame as this building has a lovely façade coupled with remarkable views of the cathedral.”

Built in the 1850s, 29 River Street was originally home to a ‘grand family’, with servants’ quarters in the attic and first floor reception rooms complete with bells. The Grade II listed building now hosts the Cornwall Air Ambulance charity shop, and will see its upper floors converted into residential accommodation to be let to a social housing organisation. Building work has begun, with the first residents due at the end of March 2026.

Jeremy and Peter Cross’ grandfather bought the property in 1948 along with the business Rickards Prams and Toys; since the 1980s, it has been let to businesses including Casa Fina and White Stuff. “This building has been in my family for more than 70 years, and we are very pleased to be helping it return to its roots by providing much-needed accommodation,” said Jeremy.

At 105 Kenwyn Street, while Archie Browns health food shop continues to operate on the ground floor, its first-floor café space will be converted into a two-bedroom apartment for rent, as will a separate outbuilding at the rear of the property. Planning permission was granted earlier this year, with work due to begin on the conversion in the New Year.

Archie Browns co-director Helen Swift is clear about the importance of the £200,000 grant funding both to the scheme and the long-term sustainability of the business. “This is a very difficult time for high streets,” she said. “While we managed to find a range of short-term tenants for the empty space above the shop and outbuilding over the past few months, we needed a steady income stream to enable the shop to continue.

“We had decided to repurpose the outbuilding into accommodation when I remembered hearing something about grants being available. Our application was successful, meaning we can also convert the former café space, providing two flats rather than just one. As well as providing places for people to live, the income from the flats will help to secure the future of the shop.”

A scheme at 62/63 Fairmantle Street awarded a grant of £119,365 is being carried out by Chytek Limited, a Truro-based family-run business working with Cornwall Council to provide fully-equipped homes for local families in urgent need. The plan: to convert the building into six modern apartments while restoring the frontage to its original design, recreating the charm of two traditional cottages.

“This property had been empty for a number of years and was sitting alone amid a row of terraced cottages, looking very tired and unkempt,” said company director Phillippa Lusty. “Our vision was to bring it back to life. We’ve faced all sorts of unexpected challenges along the way, but thanks to the support of local professionals, construction teams and tradespeople, we’re finally nearing the finish line. We hope our work will contribute to making a positive difference in our community.”

Further examples include the Grade II listed 15 River Street; the two upper floors of will be converted from commercial space to two self-contained flats, with the ground floor remaining available for commercial use. The works, which require listed building consent and planning permission, are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

At The Market Inn on Back Quay, the first floor will be renovated to create a one-bedroom apartment for use by the new pub tenant. Work is due to begin imminently, with the pub expected to re-open at the end of March. Grants have also been awarded to schemes at 57A Little Castle Street and The Green at Haven House.

Meanwhile, the former Top Shop at 15/16 King Street is the first property to be directly purchased by Regenco. The upper three floors will be refurbished to provide residential accommodation or office space, while the ground floor is currently leased to two tenants who will remain in place.

“Converting the upper floors of this prominent building into a place where people can live and work will play a key role in boosting the economy of Truro while providing much-needed residential accommodation,” said Rupert, adding: “This represents an exciting investment opportunity that will not only secure the future of this key city-centre building, but will also produce ongoing revenue which can be used to help regenerate other properties.”