Andrew Baragwanath has been named the new chairman of the St Ives Town Deal Board.

In his new role, Andrew is looking forward to seeing all nine of the Town Deal projects delivered by the end of the programme in March 2026.

Andrew, who is one of the private sector representatives on the Board, comes from a long-established St Ives family. Following a short career in the merchant navy, he returned home to work in the family business Ayr Holiday Park in the 1980’s, taking over the running of the business after the death of his father in 1996. 

In addition to being a partner in Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay and a previous owner of The Garrack Hotel and Trevalgan Touring Park in St Ives, Andrew is also a Vice President of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association and a past chairman of St Ives RFC.

Andrew is one of the inaugural members of the St Ives Town Deal Board and says it is vital to have a wide range of people on the Board to ensure that the views of all parts of the community are represented.

“I have a long history in St Ives and am very passionate about the town” he said. “I have always believed it is vital to give something back to your local community and so when the Town Deal programme came along, I wanted to play my part in helping to make it a success”.

“I am honoured to have been elected as the Chairman and look forward to continuing to work with partners, project leads, businesses and the local community to ensure that our exciting and ambitious programme is delivered “.

In June 2021, St Ives secured a Town Deal of up to £19.9 million following the successful submission of its Town Investment Plan for a range of regeneration projects. These include creating a low carbon transport system, supporting local business and jobs, and developing new skills and supply chains, as well as providing new and transformed housing and community assets.

Andrew is confident that the programme will make a positive difference to the lives of local residents and businesses in St Ives. “This is a very exciting time for St Ives, with our Town Deal programme now firmly in delivery phase” said Andrew.  

“Work on our first project – the St Ives Community Orchard and Wildlife Reserve – was completed earlier this year, with a fantastic opening ceremony taking place at the new building at the end of March.

“The first local businesses and organisations awarded Enterprise Grants have received their funding and work is currently taking place on the St Ives Theatre, Guildhall, Leach Pottery and Old Vicarage Flats projects. The Skate Park project was also completed thanks to Town Deal funding.

“Work is also underway on LiveWest’s retrofit housing programme, with the planning application for the St Ives Rugby Club project submitted to Cornwall Council last month. 

“The repositioning of the clubhouse facilities will provide a modern clubhouse with two full size sports pitches for use by the club and local community at the same time as freeing up land for the potential delivery of extra care homes and housing for local people.

“Work is also continuing on developing the Low Carbon Transport Strategy with an update exhibition due to be held in the town's library at the end of the summer.“

For more Information about the progress of all the St Ives Town Deal projects, visit: www.stivestowndeal.org.uk