The Hall was opened in 1963 and is situated near the centre of Penryn, hidden behind the houses on the north side of West Street and the residential development of Calver Close.

One enters the building via an entrance hall which gives access to Kitchen, Cloakrooms and the main Hall. These are separately described.

Car Parking

We are pleased – in most normal circumstances – to make six car parking spaces available to those who hire the Hall. The parking in these spaces is strictly controlled by outsourced management. Every use requires a valid permit. Any Parking Charge Notice is the responsibility of the registered car owner.

Access

Pedestrian access from the car parking area to the Hall entrance is via a step-free, disabled-friendly, pathway with automatic lighting.  This path connects also with the lower access door to the Hall (normally used as an emergency exit).

Emergency Exits

The main entrance is also the main emergency exit.
A second emergency exit is accessed through the main Hall and down stairs to the lower level.
Both these doorways enjoy a step-free pedestrian route to the car parking area.

The door from the main hall to the sensory garden is not yet in use. It awaits completion of the pathway through the garden.

Kitchen

We provide this equipment:

• Electric cooker with five-ring hob; two ovens under; one has a grill
• some basic cooking equipment
• a small Fridge;
• a small Microwave oven;
• a twin-bowl commercial sink with hot and cold water
• a hot water boiler – no kettle is needed
• Crockery and some cutlery.

All articles in the kitchen are there for the use of all.

A serving hatch connects the kitchen to the main hall. The roller shutter is operable from the main hall.

Cloakrooms

Three unisex toilet cubicles contain WC, washbasin with hot & cold water, paper-tissue holders and bin for their disposal.

Two of the cubicles are equipped to a standard level. The third is equipped to be disability-compliant. It includes also a pull-down changing table for babies.

A ‘services’ room contains the heating control switches in the electrical services cupboard.

We are indebted to Cornwall SITA Trust for funds which have enabled this project.

Main Hall

The main hall is well lit by daylight from double-glazed windows on three sides.
Curtains allow privacy and a measure of black-out.

The stage is on the fourth side.

Eight, ceiling-mounted flourescent-tube lights provide strong lighting by night.

The floor is a ‘sprung’ wooden-planked floor with a clear area of about 13m x 7m (42ft x 23ft). Care needs to be taken with bare feet: although this surface has been sealed it still has the odd splinter.

Heating is by six wall-mounted electric radiant heaters, located well above head height, controlled by a push-button timer in the Electrical Cupboard in the Services room.

Furniture

We provide some furniture:

• about 100 dark grey plastic chairs, stackable
• 6 large, plastic-topped tables with folding legs, (1.8m x 0.8m)
• 1 small, plastic-topped table with folding legs, (0.9m x 0.8m)
• 1 plastic-topped, fixed-leg table, 2.5m x 0.75m
• 12 square plastic-topped tables, (0.8m x 0.8m) stackable.

Stage

A conventional curtained stage with proscenium arch 4.7m (15ft) wide and 2.8m (9ft) deep.
There is no production stage lighting apart from houselights. However, the stage is usable.

‘Back-stage’ and access

Two stair-ways, one from each side of the stage floor, lead up to the stage and down to the lower floor.

These stairways and the passage-way between them are exit routes to the lower, single, emergency exit doorway.

Both the stairways and the passage-way must be kept completely clear at all times.

Storage

Storage for groups which regularly use the Hall is extremely limited.

The under-stage void is kept locked and is not generally accessible – for fire safety reasons.

Energy systems

In September 2016 a solar pv system was installed on the roof surfaces. Its capacity is 9.8kWp. It generates around 9,400kWh per year. This output is fed to the National Grid via Good Energy – 100% renewable. A battery storage system was added in August 2020. We gain most financial benefit from these systems by using as few heaters as necessary.

We also purchase our electricity from Good Energy.

There is no gas on the premises.