Buildings

Originally called Stanley House, this is a 3-story house built in 1850 and belonged to the Warner Family who sold it to Lloyds Bank, who at the time was looking for temporary premises while their present premises was being built.  The Council received an offer from Lloyds Bank to sell Stanley House for £1,200 in 1924, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Town Council.

The Town Council offices are located on the ground floor with the Council Chamber (formally the drawing room of the Warner family) located at the front of the building on the first floor.  Many of the other rooms within the building are let out as offices.

The Town Council is the sole trustee of The Norris Museum which underwent major redevelopment in 2017.  Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funders the museum’s permanent displays tell the story of Huntingdonshire from the time of the dinosaurs through to the present day.  Showcasing the museum’s collection alongside interactive displays and activities there is something from all the family.

The museum offers a full programme of events and activities as well as tours, talks, workshops, group visits and reminiscences.  The workshop space is also for hire by private groups.  The Norris Museum is a registered charity and an Accredited Museum.

Originally built and paid for by a local business man in 1864 the building was used by local corn merchants and also for concerts and meetings.  In 1947 the building was bought by the St Ives Borough Council and in 1974 following the Local Government reorganisation it passed to the existing Town Council.

The building was closed in 2001 due to structural concerns and over the years a number of refurbishment schemes were investigated.  In 2006 the Town Council considered selling the building and for a while it was on the open market.  However in the same year a group of local residents formed a campaign group ‘Action Corn Exchange’ (ACE) with the aim of stopping the sale and retaining it for community use.  After extensive investigations, consultation and lobbying by ACE, their proposal for the Corn Exchange to be re-developed as a versatile public building in the centre of St Ives was eventually accepted.

Work started on the renovation in 2009 and the restored building was reopened on 24 June 2010 by the Mayor Councillor David Hodge.  A Community Interest Company was formed to run the building with its mission statement being “To develop a thriving, multipurpose community facility, at the centre of St Ives, open seven days a week, run by volunteers with the help of professional staff, and generating surpluses that can be used for the benefit of the community.”

Located in Warner’s Park the building is awaiting refurbishment to allow it to be used more by the community.  With funding received from Huntingdonshire District Council and money put aside for the refurbishment, work is anticipated to commence in 2025.

Located on Constable Way the Burleigh Hill Community Centre is a well used community facility in the north of the town.  The building is run by the Burleigh Hill Community Centre charity, of which the Town Council is sole trustee.  There is usually something happening most days of the week, including but not limited to table tennis, yoga, mum and tots, pilates and slimming classes.

The centre has two separate halls and full kitchen facilities and is available for private hire for parties, wedding receptions and functions.  For booking enquiries contact [email protected].