The Market Inn on Truro’s Lemon Quay in Truro reopened at midday today [Thursday, February 26] following a three-year closure and a £550,000 renovation.

The much-anticipated reopening will see the grade II listed building, next to The Hall of Cornwall, reinstated as a dog- and family-friendly traditional inn offering regular entertainment.

Six new jobs are being created on the back of the investment, which includes funding from Heineken-owned Star Pubs and a grant from the New Life for City Buildings Project, courtesy of Truro Town Deal and Truro Regeneration Company CIC (Regenco).

Dating back to around 1900, the Market Inn’s Dutch gable and late-Victorian glazed tile façade have been retained and lovingly restored, with striking traditional style lanterns and new signage completing the look.

The interior, which had fallen into disrepair, has been overhauled with original features restored - including a traditional wooden bar and backbar - and using furniture and fabrics in keeping with its Victorian character, with an eclectic mix of seating including artisan stools and deep button back upholstery incorporating rich velvets.

The new flooring showcases timber boards and chequerboard-style tiles, while other features include decorative ceiling plasterwork, a wooden drinks shelf with traditional tiled backing, and a reclaimed fireplace in the lounge area.

A new coffee station has been created and the latest dispense technology is being installed to ensure consistent superior quality draught beer and cider while reducing waste, water and energy consumption.

Regular entertainment will include live music, a smartphone-based interactive quiz, an onscreen interactive horse racing game and euchre.

Truronian Karen Hawthorne will run The Market Inn with family members on behalf of Star Pubs. Karen returned to the city six years ago and has over 20 years’ hospitality experience, most recently overseeing the hospitality suite at Truro City FC.

“I have been counting down the days until the reopening of The Market Inn, looking forward to breathing new life into this landmark pub,” she said. “It is a gorgeous characterful building, and looks absolutely stunning now it’s refurbished. It’s in a fantastic location in the heart of the city and will be a great addition to Truro’s hospitality scene.”

Star Pubs business development manager Seb Benton added: “We’ve worked hard to ensure we respect the building’s listed status and its character so when you enter, you get a real sense of drinking in a classic Victorian city-centre pub.

“In the past, The Market Inn was the main gathering place for farmers and traders on market days. With a farmers’ market still taking place in Lemon Quay on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it’s time to reinstate The Market Inn as the place to socialise and relax.”

Regenco chair Rupert Hume-Kendall said: “One of the main objectives of the NLCB project was to help stimulate Truro’s night-time economy. Another was to lever in private-sector investment to refurbish vacant or underutilised buildings. The grant awarded to The Market Inn has helped deliver both objectives, and it is fantastic to see the building back in commercial use.”

The pub will open daily from 11am to midnight.