Cash has been given to a project to rebuild the derelict The Old Ship Inn in Cawsand – once at the centre of Cornwall’s smuggling trade
A total of £50,000 has been awarded for a long-term project to fully rebuild the Grade II listed building which was completely destroyed by fire in 2013. The Old Ship Inn was once a key central point in the Cornish smuggling trade, and is said to have been visited by Admiral Lord Nelson, is one of the oldest buildings in Cawsand and an iconic location at the heart of the community.
Through fundraising events, the building site has been bought by the community who are committed to seeing it reused. Through a community share scheme more than 300 shareholders helped to raise £137,000 was raised. Now money will help use the space to build five flats on the upper floors, to be let at reasonable rents on secure, long-term tenancies.
On the ground floor there will be new community facilities: the team wanted to re-create the bar area of the Old Ship, using the memories and photos of the older local people. There will also be a café with a large children’s area and a Village Information section for locals and visitors. In addition the community want to build a small Heritage Centre, supported by local experts. The project will create permanent, local jobs; provide low-cost rented housing; and create a major new community space.
The money came from the Coastal Revival Fund which gives grants to coastal heritage sites to fund repairs, restoration and bring economic growth to coastal communities.
The Old Ship Inn is one of 23 coastal projects to receive a share of nearly £1 million from the fund – in total 144 coastal projects backed by £5.6 million since 2015.
Find out more about the fund and its projects at gov.uk/government/collections/coastal-communities
