When faced with the loss of an important local amenity, a committee of volunteers joined together to create a new community shop and café on land adjacent to the Parish Hall.

The design of the new store addressed the requirements of a communal building that needed to be functional and flexible, capable of hosting Post Office Services, be secure and maintenance free and incorporate sustainable technologies. In addition, the new building needed to sit comfortably in its context and contribute to creating a sense of place for the community.

The success of the new shop was such that a café, incorporating a community space and ‘book swap’ was subsequently added as an extension, further cementing its status as the neighbourhood hub of St Tudy.

Natural materials such as slate and timber were used for both buildings, with Zinc cladding applied to the main front and North elevations of the café, providing a contrast identifying it as a separate entity. In addition, a glazed link provides a transition between shop and café to accentuate the two services.

Photography by Stephen Brownhill