Penzance welcomed two royal visitors on Monday when Prince Charles and Camilla arrived to officially re-open the iconic Jubilee Pool and St John's Hall.

The visit began with the official re-opening of St John’s Hall by the Duchess of Cornwall following its refurbishment by Cornwall Council. Built using granite from nearby Lamorna quarry in 1867, St John’s Hall is one of Penzance’s most important buildings which has played a key part in the town’s history. The largest granite building in the country, the hall is a natural rallying point for all public events in the town, and the starting point for all the main festivals, including Golowan’s Mazey Day, Montol and St Piran’s Parade.

Over the years the listed building has been used as a magistrate’s court, police cells and a public dance hall, as well as housing Citizens Advice and the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, the second oldest geological society in the world.

The renovated building is now home to Penzance Library and One Stop Shop, as well as to staff in the council’s adult education, registrars and children’s social care services and providing space for public use and weekly Farmers Markets.

Their royal couple were welcomed to Penzance by Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bolitho, who then travelled with them to St John’s Hall where they were met by Lady St Levan, Deputy Lord Lieutenant; Cornwall’s High Sheriff, Jane Hartley; Ann Kerridge, chairman of Cornwall Council; Kate Kennally, Cornwall Council’s chief executive and clerk to the lieutenancy; the mayor and mayoress of Penzance, Mike Lovegrove and Joanna Sweet; Hester Hunt, the clerk of Penzance Town Council; Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly and the Leader of Cornwall Council John Pollard.

“This has been a very special day – both for Penzance and for Cornwall Council “ said Mrs Kerridge. “ We are delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to see the work which has been done by the council to transform St John’s Hall into this superb building and to repair and re-open Jubilee Pool."

The visit began begin with a tour of the Penzance Farmers' Market where Charles and Camilla met local producers and representatives of the Newlyn Fishing Industry. Afterwards Prince Charles headed to Jubilee Pool where he formally opened the refurbished Art Deco pool, while his wife toured the renovated St John’s Hall building.

At the end of her tour, the Duchess unveiled a plaque to mark her visit before being invited to sign the visitor’s book. She was then presented with a posy by nine-year-old Isla Mulholland before leaving the building.