Falmouth Town Council Secures £500,000 Shared Prosperity Funding to Transform Kimberley Park Lodge into a Vibrant Community and Media Hub

Falmouth Town Council is pleased to announce the commencement of the Re-Source project, an exciting endeavour set to transform Kimberley Park Lodge into a bustling community hub for media, education, and connection. This transformative initiative has been made possible through a £500,000 grant from Cornwall Council from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which it manages and is funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

Located at the lower entrance to picturesque Kimberley Park Gardens, Kimberley Park Lodge has been dormant for several years. In early 2020, Falmouth Town Council, in partnership with local award-winning ratio station Source FM, embarked on a consultation to revitalise the building for the benefit of the community. The outcome was a plan to transform the lodge into a vibrant community café, state-of-the-art recording studios, and versatile media training and rehearsal facility.

The Re-Source project will breathe new life into the vacant lodge, whilst seeking to foster creativity, engagement, and skills development within the community.With the support of Source FM, renowned for its commitment to community empowerment, the project aims to provide a creative platform for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn, and discover their creative potential.

The SPF funding, together with the £70,000 already allocated to the project by Falmouth Town Council, will allow the Council to remodel the building to include three recording studios and a community café. Two of the studios will be tailored for both live and pre-recorded broadcasts, along with podcasting capabilities. In addition, a third flexible studio space will accommodate various community activities, including performance training, dance rehearsals, and music workshops. The complex will also include a community café that is hoped will become a hub for people to meet, socialise and share ideas and stories.

To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, the SPF funding also facilitates the appointment of a dedicated Community Engagement Outreach Officer. This role is pivotal to engaging with young people, educators, organizations, and community groups, ensuring that the Re-Source project serves all needs in the community.

Construction is set to begin in April under the guidance of M Hormann (architects) with completion anticipated by Spring 2025. The remodelled lodge building will prioritize accessibility and sustainability, aligning with the Council’s commitment to creating an inclusive and environmentally conscious community asset.

Jayne Kirkham, Cornwall Councillor and Falmouth Town Councillor, expressed her excitement, stating:

“The Re-Source project is not just about revitalising a precious but derelict public building; it’s about providing a place where local people can connect, learn, and unleash their potential in music, digital, production and so many other skills. A space for Falmouth to be creative.”

Simon Neild and Jade Dunbar, representing Source FM, shared their enthusiasm, envisioning Re-Source as a catalyst for community enrichment:

“This project embodies the spirit of inclusivity, diversity and creativity that Source FM stands for. We are eager to see how Re-Source will empower individuals to explore their passions, share their stories, and forge meaningful connections within our vibrant community.”

Gareth Churcher, from Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST), commented on what the Re-Source project will mean to the charity: “Cornwall Music Service Trust is a charity providing music teaching, support, and therapy for close to 10,000 children across over 240 schools and settings in Cornwall and we see this facility as incredibly important for music education in Cornwall. We are now in our 10th year of operation and are very excited about the tangible opportunities the Kimberley Park Lodge Re-Source Project will present, providing an efficient and effective environment to facilitate our work as a charity.”

This project is being funded with the help of a £500,000 grant from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, said: “The Good Growth programme is about realising the potential of people, places and businesses and investing in our future to make our economy more resilient and prosperous. “It’s clear that Re-Source will have long-lasting benefits, importantly developing an asset that will provide education, training, and skills support for all age groups. It is heartening to see that this award from the Shared Prosperity Fund will help make this community-backed project a reality.”

Local stakeholders, including schools, organizations, and community groups or anyone interested in getting involved in the Re-Source project, are invited to get in touch directly with Community Outreach Officer Nicola Burgess. Nicola can be contacted by email on nicolaburgess@falmouthtowncouncil.com

Notes to Editors

About Falmouth Town Council: Falmouth Town Council (FTC is recognised nationally for its commitment to partnership working, accessibility and sustainability. Through strategic collaborations like the Re-Source Project FTC ensures inclusive initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all of Falmouth’s residents and visitors.

About Source FM: Source FM is a leading community radio station in Falmouth, dedicated to promoting local voices and fostering community engagement through diverse programming and outreach efforts. For more information, please visit www.thesourcefm.co.uk

About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increases life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business and people and skills.