Members of Redruth Town Council joined funders and local partners yesterday to celebrate the completion of the Redruth Brewery Quarter public realm and flood alleviation scheme.

During this phase of work the contractors have cleared the site and provided vital flood attenuation, re-creating an open landscaped leat as a major feature. A central landscaped square with green spaces and seating areas has been created as well as a public footpath and cycle way which will link Kresen Kernow, and the new housing development, to the Redruth town centre and the local school.

Redruth Brewery operated for over 200 years and at one point was the largest brewery in the south-west, with public houses across the region, however, for the past decade the three hectares of buildings and yards have sat derelict at the gateway to town.

After its selection as the location for Kresen Kernow, Cornwall Council secured multi-million pound funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence programme and private developer funding, and work began to transform the site in 2014.

Kresen Kernow will be a modern archive and library space, bringing together the world’s largest collection of manuscripts, books and documents related to Cornwall, as well as Cornwall Record Office, the Cornish Studies Library and the Cornwall and Scilly Historic Environment Record, for the first time.

The changes to the site have brought back many memories for people in the local area and a group of former brewery employees now meet regularly to share their stories. An oral history project in 2016 will capture these recollections which will eventually form part of the exhibitions at Kresen Kernow, preserving the past of the site at the heart of this new building.

Julian German, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy and culture, said: “This £5.3m enabling works scheme has cleared unstable structures, capped mine shafts and built a flood alleviation scheme, creating a safe site for Kresen Kernow and for the private developer’s multi-use masterplan. Today is a major milestone and marks the start of the next phase of work, which will see the historic brewery building become the heart of the new centre, connecting people around the world with Cornwall’s history.”

Ian Newby, senior project manager from Cormac, said: “The site was complex as it had operated as a brewery for many years. Hidden under the visible historic and modern industrial buildings were underground features, contaminated land, adits and shafts; each month brought new discoveries and challenges for the team. We are delighted with the difference the scheme has made and look forward to seeing the site develop over the next couple of years.”

George Eustace, MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said: “Cornwall has a unique culture and an industrial heritage to be proud of, with Redruth playing a particularly important role as one of the birthplaces of the industrial revolution and as the centre of the Cornish diaspora across the world. It is this history that makes Redruth the ideal place to host the new Kresen Kernow archive project which will not only safeguard the iconic brewery, but also play a key role in kick starting the wider regeneration of Redruth.”

Emmie Kell, a board member of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and chief executive of the Cornwall Museums Partnership, said: “The LEP has invested £700,000 from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to unlock the economic potential of this key gateway site and attract further significant investment. Once fully developed it will support around 300 jobs, create 200 new homes and put Redruth on the global map with the new archive centre educating people around the world about the unique culture and heritage of Cornwall.”

Councillor Will Tremayne, mayor of Redruth, said: “The Kresen Kernow development is an integral, sustainable, and vital part of the ongoing successful future of Redruth. It is a delight to hear how the residents of the town are genuinely excited about this site. The site has always been an important focal point of the town and in recent years attracted a lot of negative attention. This has now changed and people are enthusiastic to see this significant milestone of the public realm works completed.

"The town council are delighted with the work so far and hope that the next phase will pass without too many issues. Having worked closely with the team we recognise and praise their commitment, drive and the hard work involved with this project, and we will do our upmost to continue to support the scheme while ensuring the residents benefit from these developments.”

Work will continue on the site throughout 2016 and 2017, with the centre due to open in 2018. The site will remain closed during this time but the Kresen Kernow project team are inviting people to join them in February for tours of the new public spaces. These will take place on February 5 and 6, between 10am and 2pm. Pre-booking is essential on 01872 323 127 or email cro@cornwall.gov.uk. For further information about the tours, and other Kresen Kernow events that weekend, including user forums and a talk about the brewery site’s history, visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/kresenkernow.