The Red Store

History

The Red Store was built about 1870 although a band of stone around the base differs in quality from that above suggesting that the present building stands on the remains of a much earlier structure. The store is one of the few remaining examples of the many riverside warehouses that existed by the Fowey River and its tributaries. They were important for the local economy when few goods were imported or exported by road.

Since the decline of the water-borne trade, the Red Store has had a variety of uses, The owners of Lerryn Mill used the building as office and workshop space in the early 20^th C, newsprint was stored here for recycling during the war and for a time in the 1950s the upper floor was used by the village youth club. More recently it contained the family possessions of its owner, Mrs W Elin of Wood Cottage.

For many years the Parish Council had recognised the potential of the building for community use and, realising that conversion to a dwelling would probably change it beyond recognition, set about trying to persuade the building's owners to sell it to the council. In 2002 the owners agents indicated that, not only was the sale of the building possible, but also that it could be at a very reasonable price and that time could be allowed for the funds to be raised.

Restoration

The Parish Councils of St Veep and St Winnow combined forces to set about raising the money for the purchase, conversion and restoration of the building, having staged a consultation event to gauge public support for the project. A grant of £2000 from Caradon D.C. covered the initial survey, plans and applications for planning permission.

Applications were made to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Objective 1, RDA, and Caradon DC for funding. Architects were appointed and the building cleared for a full survey which included a Bat and Owl report. It was found that a rare Lesser Horseshoe male bat was in residence. An application to disturb the bat was eventually approved by the District Council, English Nature and Deffra.

Work commenced on the building in November 2005 and was completed in August 2006, 5 months behind schedule but under budget. Significant parts of the building are now dedicated to several species of bat and other creatures.