A MAJOR new initiative to promote the arts and crafts talent of Liskeard launches this month.

The Cattle Market Makers project is part of the ongoing regeneration of the Old Cattle Market site in Liskeard’s town centre.

Since the town’s historic cattle market closed in 2017, the site has lain empty, but work is now ongoing to build new business and arts facilities in this prime location. This will include a specially constructed space for local artists and craftspeople – a set of bespoke modular units to accommodate the making of their creative work.

As well as developing this new facility, the Cattle Market Makers team are offering one-to-one business mentoring and support for experienced artists and craftspeople to turn their hobbies into businesses and to take those businesses to the next level of growth.

The team is also recruiting participants to a range of free training courses in arts and crafts, and is keen to hear from anyone interested. Aimed at beginners who would like to develop new skills, and interim learners who are looking to hone their craft, the courses are set to include fabric work, print-making, wood carving and watercolours.

The scheme is managed by Liskeard Town Council and supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, Community Led Local Development and Cornwall Council.

At least ten businesses will be offered business mentoring, and there will be a minimum of 32 places available on the courses.

The management board for the project is chaired by Liskeard Councillor Rachel Brooks.

“This initiative offers fantastic opportunities for the local community – for the town’s artists and for people wanting to develop their interests in arts and crafts,” she said.

“Our courses are designed to promote our participants’ wellbeing and confidence, both their prospects in life and their quality of life.”

Liskeard Mayor Simon Cassidy said: “This is a brilliant project that should do a lot for the town and for local people.

“It’s been devised to build upon and to showcase what our vibrant artistic community does best.”

Meanwhile, primaries in Liskeard have been enthusiastic about the offer of after-school clubs that will also be part of the scheme, said Rachel.

These will be open to families of St Martin’s and Hillfort Primary Schools, and places will be for children with an accompanying parent or carer.

The overall project is being managed by author and teacher Alec Charles, assisted by administrator Jack Rockliffe-King.

“There’s so much great artistic talent in Liskeard,”said Alec.

“We’re here to help support and promote that talent – and to help Liskeard take its well-deserved place on the region’s arts and crafts map.”

Businesses who take part in the mentoring have the opportunity, if they wish, to provide informal mentoring to other arts and craftspeople just starting out.

“The people we’ve been speaking to so far are very keen that they want to give back to this community of mutual support,” said Alec.

It’s expected that the physical facility will be open in late summer 2022 on the Old Cattle Market site, with spaces for eight enterprises, of which it’s hoped at least three will be start-ups.

In the meantime, mentoring will be happening at the town council offices or in the premises of the local businesses themselves – and courses will be run from the Public Hall, and possibly also at the Liskerrett Centre.

Anyone interested in the Cattle Market Makers initiative should visit the project online on the Liskeard Council website at https://www.liskeard.gov.uk/cmm/