CONSTRUCTION is advancing for an extended community space to enhance a 200-year-old historic building in Truro city centre.

Truro Methodist Church was awarded just under £1 million through the government’s Town Deal fund for the Kemeneth Truro Community Hub.

Work started in October on the three-storey extension, which is set to provide an additional 140 square metres of community space for the Grade II listed building.

The steel framework for the extension was erected in March by Poltair Construction. Building work is expected to complete in December this year, with the first activities taking place early in the new year.

The word Kemeneth is Cornish for “community”. Truro Methodist Church already hosts more than 100 community groups, from social prescribing and youth groups to counselling support and large-scale annual events such as Cornwall Music Festival.

“Creating a community hub has been a vision since 2017,” said Revd Mark Dunn-Wilson. “We’ve noticed an increased need from people in Truro, particularly post-Covid, with people struggling with mental health, isolation and loneliness, and just needing that companionship and safe space.

“We’re working closely with experts – charities, the NHS, social prescribers. Kemeneth will provide additional space for us all. Everyone is welcome.”

The building extension will feature flexible, open-plan meeting and event spaces, the latest audio-visual technology and a Changing Places toilet facility. The car park will be remodelled to accommodate outdoor seating and a catering area, and Kemeneth will adopt space in an adjacent building for the provision of smaller counselling and treatment rooms.

Truro Town Deal Board chairman Alan Stanhope said: “We’re so pleased Truro Methodist Church is forging ahead with construction and making its mark in the city. Kemeneth will be a central place where people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths and orientations can connect.”

Truro Community Hub was awarded £952,705 from the Towns Fund; an initial £549,000 grant to start work was match-funded by Cornwall Council.