PUBLIC consultations on the future of the St Ives Corn Exchange are underway. Last month, St Ives town council decided to reopen and regenerate the building in the town s Market Hill, which has been closed since 2001. Now, the council is asking the public

PUBLIC consultations on the future of the St Ives Corn Exchange are underway.

Last month, St Ives town council decided to reopen and regenerate the building in the town's Market Hill, which has been closed since 2001.

Now, the council is asking the public which of two options for the upper floor of the building they would prefer.

One option is to use the first floor as a lounge/bar area, while a second option is to use the space for meeting/function rooms. Both designs include a balcony overlooking the large hall and stage.

Consultations began on Saturday at St Ives Farmers' Market and the display is available to view now in the St Ives Library in Station Road until February 11.

Comments should be made to St Ives town council - contact details available at www.stivestowncouncil.gov.uk - and consultations end on March 3.

Town clerk Alison Melnyczuk said: "Following the positive responses so far received I am looking forward to listening to more people's opinions over the coming weeks."

Businessman Michael Purchas, owner of the town's Golden Lion hotel, is likely to project manage the regeneration work once consultations have been completed.

Mr Purchas has devised a plan to re-open the building for around £600,000 - money which the town council holds in a fund gathered from council tax.

You can view a virtual walk-through of how the refurbished building might look by clicking the 'Corn Exchange Virtual Tour' link on the left of this webpage. This version includes the second lounge/bar area on the upper floor.