Huge renovation sees Emporium come to Church Street, Helston

What used to be Creftow Gallery is being renovated to provide a space for local artists to work and the community to enjoy.

Now called Emporium, it sits in what is fast becoming considered the arts quarter of the town.

The renovations are still ongoing, but once finished it will be a place for local artists, makers and designers to make and sell their work, offering retail space, studio space, workshop room hire, private exhibition space and a café/deli space.

Owner Gill Troop said: “This Grade II listed building has undergone significant renovation following a period of three years of unoccupancy and was in a sorry state when I bought it in 2018.

It has fallen into disrepair

"Further work is about to commence on the warehouse at the back of the building which is near derelict and due to be finished in time for Christmas.

"The delay has been due in part to our resident feral flock of pigeons who have been nesting – we have had to wait for them to fledge as all wild birds are protected whilst breeding.

"And then there was the virus of course. I am really looking forward to opening the doors. It’s been a long labour of love.”

The front retail space may be able to open earlier than Christmas but in the meantime the finished frontage is hosting a window display to showcase the work of local businesses and makers. She plans to change the displays as more artists join in.

Gill fell in love with the building a few years ago.

"At the end of 2017 I was looking for a lock up to rent with a couple of friends – we had started upcycling furniture and needed more space.

"I drove past the building regularly and fell in love with it despite its dilapidated nature.

The dilapidated building

"I thought no more of it until the start of 2018 when I needed a project following the deaths of my partner and father within the space of three months.

"It was only after work started that I began to think about what to do with the space – far too big for just our needs and that is when the idea of an Emporium was born.

"There are so many talented creatives in and around Helston without an in-town outlet to sell their work it made sense to create that opportunity."

The front retail space may be able to open earlier than Christmas but in the meantime the finished frontage is hosting a window display to showcase the work of local businesses and makers.

The Window Shopping Event

She is calling for artists and makers to add their work to the 'Window Shopping Event'. Examples of their work are housed in the window together with their contact details so that window shoppers can contact them direct for more information or to buy the piece.

Gill said: "We're doing our share to support local businesses and makers who have been hit by the cancellation of markets and fairs over the summer.

"We have had a terrific response from makers wanting to participate and I am told anecdotally that people are making purchases as a result."

The new fascia

Details of makers signed up to date can be found on the events page of the website and artists wishing to find out more can find contact Gill via emporiumhelston.co.uk.