The future of the Leach Pottery

Our plans are to create a world class site that matches our international reputation. To create a community hub where local people can come together to train, develop their creativity, improve their wellbeing, support each other and bring clay to life. Through our expanded learning offer and economic growth we will contribute all year round to St Ives.

Our proposed development was part of the successful St Ives Town Deal bid to central government.

Leach Pottery plans in more detail

Our capital investment in a ‘living heritage asset’ will make a significant contribution to the vibrant culture of St Ives and position the Leach Pottery as a central community hub. The project focuses on all three objectives of the St Ives Town Deal:

• Supporting the health, wellbeing and aspirations of all residents in life - through creativity in clay, training and jobs.

• Creating opportunities for young people which allow them to flourish – through our community and education programmes, improved accessibility and local partnership working.

• Embedding sustainability, green growth and growing a year round economy - through reducing our carbon footprint, creating year round jobs and increasing a proven out of season tourism offer.

Production, learning and community activity as well as the visitor experience are severely restricted by the current layout at the pottery. The layout and mix of buildings are a result of ad hoc development over the past 100 years and this is a rare opportunity to rationalise the site and increase its capacity through a coordinated design which has been developed based on 12 years of running the site as a working heritage asset. 

A major strategic redevelopment of the site will enable significant improvements in community engagement, education, production and sales, training and the overall visitor experience.

 This project will focus on capital investment for production and learning. Capital investment will maintain and enhance a unique skills-based heritage asset for the benefit of St Ives by:

• Increasing the ability to employ skilled craftspeople, growing the apprenticeship scheme, increasing productivity and broadening our customer base.

• Enhancing the community skills programme - delivering more classes and projects, increasing participation by our target communities.

• Increasing support for local enterprise development – including more mentoring, skills development, and access to international audiences – supporting recovery during COVID-19.

• Increasing the capacity of our school’s programme and improving the quality of the experience.

• Supporting the delivery of more commercial education programmes – attracting visitors throughout the year.

• Reducing environmental impact through adoption of more environmentally friendly technologies.

Town Deal Fund – where is the money from and what is it for?

The Government ‘Towns Fund’ provides town deals of up to £25 million to foster economic regeneration, stimulate investment and deliver vital infrastructure. St Ives was successful in bidding for the fund and allocated £19.9million by the Government to the transition to zero carbon whilst creating new jobs and opportunities for existing and future residents and recovery from Covid-19.

The St Ives Town Deal Board was awarded the money to develop 8 ambitious projects.

• Sustainable transport for residents and visitors, via the creation of a major low carbon transport system within St Ives.

• A new training café and learning centre located at the large-scale community orchard and garden in Penbeagle.

• In a bid to support local businesses, a dedicated funding pot has been proposed to speed up the COVID-19 recovery and allow for investment around innovation, operations and trade.

• An investigation into creating space to build new social and affordable homes will take place in tandem with the development of the Rugby Club site in the upper part of the town.

• To create a cafe at the St Ives Community Orchard

• The development of the Old Vicarage flats operated by the St Ives Community Land Trust, this project will see the renovation of the Old Vicarage building to provide six high quality and affordable flats for local residents in the heart of the town.   

• To further develop a strong cultural offer for the town, the proposed investment allows for the refurbishment of St Ives Theatre and The Guildhall.

• An energy-efficient retrofitting programme for 200 of the worst performing social housing properties in the town Led by LiveWest.

• A major expansion of the Leach Pottery and its current offer will generate additional opportunities for residents whilst create year-round jobs. Plus the development of a digital trail to encourage visitors to discover more of St Ives.

What Happens Next?

• We will continue our programme of community consultation events. Stay up to date and sign up the Leach Pottery Blog.

• Match funding will be sought from other funders 2023-24

• Temporary Kiln Shed in the car park to allow us to continue to make Standard Ware onsite

• Phase 1 build 2024 - Starting onsite April 2024

• Phase 2 build 2025 - restoration of historical buildings & new entrance starts in 2025

• Complete summer 2026

Your voice counts, join the Pottery Development Forum

We have created a group for anyone who wants to help us get the best from our project. If you would like to find out more and are interested in joining the Pottery Development Forum, please contact Libby Buckley: director@leachpottery.com

For updates on the project sign up to our newsletter here.

You can also download our Winter Update newsletter.