The iconic The Drummer sculpture on Lemon Quay, Truro, is being moved to a new location.

The work is part of a £20m redevelopment of Hall For Cornwall (HFC).

Following completion of preparatory building works at HFC over the summer, work is now ready to begin on the next stage of the project. The successful completion of these preliminary works means that the project remains on schedule for completion in 2020.

Contractors Kier have been removing planters and seating from the area of Lemon Quay adjacent to the HFC building and will begin erecting fencing around the compound area early next week in preparation for the formal handing over of the building on September 27.

Following discussions between Cornwall Council, Kier and sculptor Tim Shaw it has been agreed to remove The Drummer for the duration of the redevelopment project to ensure that the 15ft bronze and tin sculpture is not damaged during the construction works.

The Drummer statue on Lemon Quay
The Drummer statue on Lemon Quay

Cornwall Council is leading on making the arrangements for its new location. The removal will be carried out by Macsalvors, the company which originally installed the sculpture in June 2011, and it will be lifted by a crane onto a lorry. Once safely removed, work will begin on erecting the compound area around the construction site.

Once construction formally begins, HFC will work alongside Kier and Cornwall Council to organise a series of hard hat tours, open days and events which will encourage people from across Cornwall to visit Truro to see the progress of the redevelopment and enjoy other amenities offered by the city.

“This is a key milestone in our journey to create a world-class venue which will provide Cornwall with access to the very best performing arts to rival anywhere in the country, as well as creating jobs and boosting the local economy,” said HFC CEO and creative director Julien Boast.

“We are working closely with Cornwall Council, Truro City Council and Truro BID (Business Improvement District) during this period and will be supporting their and local initiatives to attract more people into the city.”

A quiet Lemon Quay with The Drummer in the foreground
A quiet Lemon Quay with The Drummer in the foreground

HFC has worked closely with Cornwall Council, Truro BID, Kier and local businesses to create designs for the hoardings surrounding the construction site which will act as a central focus of interest for the public, telling the story of the redevelopment alongside visually celebrating the building’s and Truro’s history and heritage.

Businesses in the immediate vicinity will be supported by the inclusion of orientation and ‘open for business’ messaging, as well as inclusion of two large Visit Truro maps of the city for use by locals and visitors.

Truro BID will also support the ‘open for business’ messaging by locating their own way-finding signage on lampposts in Lemon Quay.

The completion of the project will provide capacity for an extra 300 seats in the new auditorium, attracting the best productions to Cornwall.

While more people will be able to attend performances, the tiered auditorium and surrounding spaces within the venue will also offer a flexibility of use for more intimate events and activities from play readings to book clubs and conferences.