The Killacourt in Newquay is a public open space located near the town center and overlooking the beach and has been a central part of Newquay’s identity for over a century.
The Killacourt offers a large grassy area perfect for picnics, outdoor games, or simply relaxing in the sunshine. It also features a bandstand, which hosts live music performances and other events during the warmer months. The location near the beach makes it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy stunning views of the coastline while soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant seaside town.
Throughout the year, the Killacourt plays host to a variety of events, including music festivals, markets, community fairs, and cultural celebrations. It serves as a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds, contributing to the sense of community and camaraderie in Newquay.
Overall, the Killacourt is not only a picturesque and inviting public space but also a symbol of Newquay’s proud heritage and a cherished hub of activity for residents and visitors alike.
History
History of the Killaocurt
The Killacourt, located in Newquay, Cornwall, holds a significant place in the town’s history and identity. Originally known as “The Sands,” the area now occupied by the Killacourt was once a stretch of sandy beach along Newquay’s coastline. Over time, as Newquay evolved from a small fishing village into a popular seaside resort destination, the need for recreational and communal spaces became apparent.
In the late 19th century, local authorities recognized the potential of the area and embarked on a project to transform it into a public promenade and gathering place. The Killacourt was officially opened in 1897 as part of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Named in honour of Queen Victoria’s grandson, the Duke of Cornwall, Arthur William Patrick Albert (later King Edward VII), who was also the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, the Killacourt quickly became a focal point for both locals and visitors alike.
Throughout the years, the Killacourt has served as a venue for various events and activities, including concerts, markets, fairs, and community gatherings. Its central location near the beach made it an ideal spot for people to relax, socialize, and enjoy the stunning views of the coastline. Over time, the Killacourt has undergone renovations and improvements to enhance its facilities and amenities, ensuring its continued relevance and importance to the community.
Today, the Killacourt remains a beloved landmark in Newquay, offering a vibrant space for locals and tourists to come together and enjoy the beauty and charm of Cornwall’s coastal heritage. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll along the promenade, a picnic with friends and family, or attending one of the many events hosted there, the Killacourt continues to play a vital role in the life of Newquay.
Killacourt Enhancement Project
Project Background
Newquay Town Council was granted £499,702 by the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund as part of a new round of grants worth £36 million to projects up and down the Great British Coast. The Killacourt® is one of 20 projects across the south west which will benefit from over £15.4 million from this round of coastal communities funding to help develop and improve tourist attractions, create jobs and promote socio-economic growth.
Newquay Town Council’s bid captured the interest of the Government’s Coastal Community Fund, which outlined the need to see investment in the Killacourt, in order to retain it as an important green space that can continue to be relevant for events and increase footfall to the town.
The original Plan
Whilst all subject to obtaining the necessary consents, approvals and consulting with stakeholders; a Master Plan of the Killacourt® has been designed, focusing on business ‘incubator units’ placed on the curtilage of the Killacourt®; providing opportunities for small businesses and sole traders/community groups to hire out the units for events and on a flexible basis to trade goods and services; with a priority on goods that are not provided elsewhere in the Town.
There will also be investment and various improvements in the band-stand and kiosk area as well as accessibility improvements to all pavements, which are planned to be up-lit of an evening with new sustainable tree planting – helping those with buggies or indeed wheelchair users to have full use of the Killacourt®. Modern features such as noise reducing fencing and planting seek to reduce the impact of existing and growing events on neighbouring properties, whilst also protecting or indeed improving their existing views and vistas.
Newquay Town Council are in negotiation with existing tenants, to release the white fencing and create a completely open space, doubling the area for events. The kiosk will also be replaced with a Farmer’s Market, and a restaurant/café will be built behind the bandstand, overlooking the iconic Island House. However, these aspects may be undertaken as part of a later phase of the project owing to existing agreements and permissions.
There are no plans agreed yet for the Cornwall Council memorial benches. They may be moved, or they may be made into stone plaques in the amphitheatre with consent of those who have sited them on the Killacourt. This also applies to the Cornwall Pride benches, which may be moved to the bottom right of the site, which is a disused area at present. The Beatles boulder is also likely to be moved into the Mediterranean planting area and made more prominent, but again this is detail that is still to be worked out.
There will be a sympathetic CCTV security system implemented on site too. Whilst the Killacourt® isn’t an attractive area for crime, we are conscious this is right in the Town Centre and with the improvements there is likely to be higher evening footfall, so we are keen to ensure everyone feels safe and prevent crime.
The overall aim of the Killacourt® enhancements are to protect the views, not to impact neighbouring properties, to create better use of the land, to boost events and ultimately increase footfall to Newquay’s Town Centre.
Cost Breakdown & Estimated Income
It is estimated that £25,200 of income will be generated from the site in the first full year.
Other Grants & Funding
Newquay Town Council are also seeking additional grants and funding. They require £233,000, which they aim to acquire through a mix of Newquay Town Council’s private fund and by approaching more 106 money from Cornwall Council.
Newquay Town Council do wish to obtain funding from Cornwall Council; however, it may have a better impact on the project to only use the Newquay Town Council Reserve. The Town Council currently have £185,000 in their Localism Reserve, and £200,000 in their capital reserve that could be used if needed. However, this would be based on the freehold of the site being held by the Town Council.
Expected Timeline
*Please note, this timeline is subject to change, Newquay Town Council will not be responsible for any costs occurred due to the information held within this page
Killacourt Re-opening April 2021
Newquay Town Council submitted a stage-two funding bid under the Coastal Community Fund for just under £500,000 to enhance the Killacourt® in Newquay. The bid was approved and plans began to transform the Killacourt®, retaining it as an important green space that can continue to be relevant for growing events and economic activity.
12 April 2021 – Killacourt® Soft Opening
Newquay Town Council is proud to announce the soft opening of the Killacourt® on Monday 12th April after months of hard work to enhance this green space in the heart of Newquay.
The Town Council submitted a stage-two funding bid under the Coastal Community Fund for just under £500,000 to enhance the Killacourt® in Newquay. The bid was approved under the condition that Newquay Town Council owned the freehold of the area, made it accessible for all and created employment to ensure the sustainability of the site.
The Council’s overall aim of the Killacourt® enhancements has always been to protect the views, not to impact neighbouring properties, to create better use of the land, improve accessibility across the entire site, to boost events and ultimately increase footfall to Newquay’s Town Centre.
The works involved in the Killacourt® Enhancement Project have included new up-lit seating, landscape planting and levelling of all paths and groundworks throughout the site to make the area accessible to all – helping wheelchair users, those with mobility issues and indeed buggies, prams, and pushchairs to have full use of the Killacourt®.
Newquay Town Council has also been working alongside Inclusive Care Solutions to install and register a new Changing Places Facility at the previous ice cream hut. Ultimately in keeping with the vision of making the area more accessible and tackling inequality, it was felt this would be the perfect place for a Changing Places facility.
There have been various improvements to the bandstand – the original structure remains; however new cladding and doors have been added with an accessible ramp and performance area. A local company named Oltco have installed a Recycle Base around the performance area of the bandstand, to replace tarmac as a preferred option for ground reinforcement. Recycle Base is made up of stone and low-grade recycled ocean plastic and utilises the equivalent of 37,500 plastic straws per m2. In total, the Killacourt® performance area has recycled the equivalent of 2.8 million straws!
Newquay Town Council will be using the Killacourt® green space to host its annual community events, including the Summer Finale, Newquay Sessions throughout the summer and a new “Feel the Love Season Opener” in May. Newquay Farmer’s Market will also be operating from the site on the last Sunday of every month, starting from Sunday 25th April.
Finally, 12 new Enterprise Units have been built along the curtilage of the Killacourt® and a café behind the bandstand to provide opportunities for small businesses that cannot afford the high rents of the Town Centre and allow them a space to grow and develop. The aim of the units and cafe is to bring footfall to the Town Centre and encourage people to also browse the High Street shops. The businesses that will be operating out of the Enterprise Units are as follows: The Beet Box Café, Tide & Seek, Earring Cabin, Dreya Glass, Nearly New(quay) Clothing Company, Killa Walls, Four Legs Cornwall, Love Cork, Melo, Rock & Ritual, Mend, & Sloth Productions.
The green space and Enterprise Units are now OPEN and ready to welcome locals and visitors as the government lockdown is eased and people are able to holiday in Cornwall again. You can view all the exciting new businesses and their products at: www.Newquay.gov.uk/killacourt/. Please note that although the majority of the site is complete, some aesthetic work does still need to be finished, including the coastal planting scheme and the entrance area at the top of the site. Some fencing will also remain whilst the grass becomes established. Newquay Town Council would like to ask everyone to please respect the site whilst the final work is being completed.
A spokesperson from Newquay Town Council commented: “We are so happy to finally open the newly enhanced Killacourt® to the public ahead of the summer season. A huge thanks must go to our contractors for undertaking the works despite the pandemic and to all the staff and members at Newquay Town Council for obtaining the funding and pushing forwards with the project. We would also like to welcome all the fantastic new businesses to the Killacourt. We can’t wait to watch them thrive and for locals and visitors to enjoy everything the Killacourt® now has to offer.
Apply for a Retail Unit on the Killacourt
If you’re interested in our units, please contact us to be placed on our waiting list should any become available we’ll be in contact and ask you to return an application form.
The Lease will be a maximum of 5 years with optional break clause at years 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Rent will be £5,243.27 per annum (inc VAT) with tenants also expected to pay a upfront deposit equal to three months of rent.
There are electrical and Wi-fi supplies to the premises (Prices are additional)
If you would like to apply to be considered for a vacant unit, please complete the following application form and return it to us via info@newquay.gov.uk
