Liskeard’s Market Makers website goes live

Liskeard’s ‘Market Makers’ project has launched its vibrant new website. Its branding and design, created by the local Dell ’Anno Studio, use the colours of Cornish tartan, celebrating the county’s proud heritage.

The ‘Market Makers’ project was established two months ago and is part of a major regeneration plan for Liskeard. The project is run by Liskeard Town Council, with funding and support from European Structural & Investment Funds secured with the help of Community Led Local Development, and with matched funding from Cornwall Council.

‘Market Makers’ aims to showcase and promote Liskeard’s thriving arts and crafts community. The project team is currently running mentoring schemes to support the development and growth of both new creative enterprises and more established arts businesses. The construction of a specialist studio facility is also in progress, and this will form part of the strategic redevelopment of the town centre’s Old Cattle Market site, which is due to open later this year. 

The team is rolling out a series of courses in ‘crafting skills’, aimed at Liskeard residents who are not currently in work, in order to cultivate a new generation of artists and craftspeople in the town. 

The new website includes full details of these courses and mentoring programs, together with profiles of the ‘Market Makers’ themselves – the local artists and craftspeople supporting the creation of this valuable local, creative business network.

These include: printmakers and designers; creators of soft furnishings; makers of theatrical puppets and cuddly toys; and artists who work in watercolours, oils, textile, ceramic, glass, and multimedia.

“We’re working with such an brilliant range of people,” said Alec Charles, manager of the Market Makers project. “We don’t have any butchers on our books, but we are in fact talking about possible collaborations with both bakers and candlestick-makers! 

“We’re here to support the development of local creative enterprises and also to help to enhance the skills and prospects of local people. There are opportunities for absolute beginners to develop new crafts skills and, potentially, to go on to set up their own businesses. We’re hoping that some of our participants will actually take tenancies in our new studio facilities. It’s a really exciting journey to be part of.”