EFFORTS to improve the town centre in St Austell will be the focus of a drop-in event being hosted by MP Noah Law on Saturday (September 12).

The Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay said: “I will be hosting my biggest open day yet: launching my Pledge for the Towns, in St Austell town centre.

“At the drop-in event, taking place from 10am until 4pm, I will be showcasing work I’ve done so far to support our town centres – including setting up a community land trust, St Austell CLT, and working to try and tackle the anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol issues in the town centre.

“Attendees will also be the first to hear of action I am taking, working to resolve the Earth Goddess debacle once and for all. I helped end the impasse around the General Wolfe – Cornwall Council’s failed white elephant – let’s do the same for the Earth Goddess and find a new owner.

“To find out more about the event, including venue information and to be kept informed following it, please sign up at this link https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/pledge-for-the-towns-4854725

“In 2024, I was elected with a clear pledge to revitalise our high streets and towns. That’s no small task, but this event on Saturday will showcase the progress that has been made, working with the police, community organisations, local stakeholders, small businesses and others to improve our town centre. The event will be an opportunity for residents to see presentations and hear from local people working to create a better St Austell.”

Part of Fore Street in the centre of St Austell. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
Part of Fore Street in the centre of St Austell. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

The MP will share updates on his ongoing Community Conversations, which bring the police, local groups and residents together to have open, honest and constructive conversations about the challenges facing communities, with events taking place in or planned for St Dennis, St Austell, Sticker, Par and Bugle.

Representatives from the shop workers union, USDAW, will be present to speak about their Freedom from Fear Campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shop workers. Their study released in March found 80 per cent of shop workers had been verbally abused in the past year and over half had been threatened whilst on a shift – and a third of women under 27 reported sexual harassment whilst at work.

Members from the Co-operative Party will be on hand to discuss Community Right to Buy and a new £61-million fund set up to support communities attempting to purchase valued local assets and invest in their high streets.

Constituents will also hear about the MP’s new constituency office in St Austell town centre.

Earlier in the year, a survey carried out by the St Austell Town Team found that the overwhelming majority of people who responded wanted the Earth Goddess sculpture to be removed. Many thought it was out of place in the town centre due to its scale, appearance and setting.

The 11.5-metre-tall ceramic artwork, nicknamed the “totem pole”, was installed in 2022 in Aylmer Square and has since divided opinion.