A Bodmin community and arts organisation has been awarded £180,000 to restore its dilapidated historic headquarters and expand its programme.

IntoBodmin CIC will refurbish the grade II listed Old Library after receiving the grant from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The scheme will include co-working and business workspace, a performance area, a cafe and a community room.

The cultural and community hub will also use the funds to launch a new community skills development programme to provide the opportunity for six volunteers to receive training and establish place-based groups to develop community opportunities.

IntoBodmin was formed in 2017 in response to the closing of the Public Rooms and the sale of the public library building, which threatened to leave a void in the town for community access to cultural events, activities and public gatherings.

The group took on the lease from Cornwall Council and built a cultural, community hub in the heart of the town to help revitalise Bodmin. The 19th century building is in a poor state of repair. Problems such as damaged pointing and windows have resulted in water ingress which is causing ongoing damage to the building. Inadequate insulation and outdated heating and lighting systems mean the Old Library has a large carbon footprint.

Fin Irwin, the director at intoBodmin, said: “We are so excited to finally transform the Old Library building, that has been at the heart of the Bodmin community for the last 125 years.

“Accessing the Shared Prosperity Fund will allow us to safeguard it for the next 125 years.”

North Cornwall MP Scott Mann said: “The funding will significantly boost the availability of training in the town and restore one of the town’s most iconic buildings.

“I will follow this project closely and look forward to seeing the results.”

Pat Rogerson, the Cornwall Councillor for Bodmin St Mary’s and Leonard, said: “Having worked to support intoBodmin and the Old Library project since the beginning, I know how much they deserve this and what a difference they’ll make with this money.

“This is great news for our town.”

Leigh Frost, the Cornwall Councillor for Bodmin St Petroc’s, said: “Fin and his team have achieved amazing things.

“I can only imagine what is to come now they have secured this funding to refurbish this building and start their new skills programme.”

Councillor Louis Gardner, the Cornwall Council portfolio holder for the economy, said: “This is a great example of a project that can deliver on our good growth ambitions and make a difference at the heart of the community where it’s needed most.”