Introducing the Work Room: a co-working space for creatives in Redruth
Hidden behind the scaffolding and gothic stonework of Redruth’s former library and college, a new chapter is unfolding.
Over the past three years, theatre producers and venue operators Felix Mortimer and Joshua Nawras have been transforming the semi-derelict building into The Ladder: a hub where performance organisations, artists, and creatives can develop new work.
Now, as part of that vision, they’re opening the Work Room, a dedicated co-working space at the heart of the building.
A building reborn
“It’s been such a roller coaster,” Felix reflects. “Watching the old Redruth Library become The Ladder and fulfil a new chapter in its 125-year history… amazing seeing it finally come into view as its next form. There have been funny incidents on the way like swimming pools in our lobby and roofs falling in.”
Despite its bumpy start, the building is thriving again. Today, it houses a nursery run by Naturally Learning, educational charity The Writers’ Block, and a wide range of community events from film screenings to yoga classes. The Ladder has already hosted Harbour Festival, a new biannual performance festival for Cornwall.
But for Felix and Josh, the next milestone is all about bringing people together to work side by side.
Work Room: a farmhouse table for ideas
“The Work Room has desk space for about 12 people,” Josh explains. “It’s a really beautiful, light space with a big central desk. We really see it as that farmhouse table of creative ideas and people working alongside each other.”
Alongside the Work Room, The Ladder is unveiling two new complementary spaces:
Engine Room – a large rehearsal and practice studio
Dream Room – a turret space for meetings, podcasting, or sparking wild ideas
These join existing spaces including the Front Room, a versatile ground-floor event space, and other areas already alive with activity.
A community of creatives
Felix sees the Work Room as much more than a set of desks:
“We want to encourage as many creatives, people in the performing arts, people across the arts and creative industries to use us as a space. People don’t want to be in their siloed bedrooms or front rooms, they want to be places where other people are making things happen. And we want to engender that feeling because then everyone can work together to make their dreams a reality.”
It’s a space designed to spark conversations, build collaborations, and help ideas grow into fully realised projects.
Looking ahead
In five years’ time, Josh hopes the building will be buzzing with people and ideas:
“I think there’s a real need for people to come together and have spaces where they can share ideas. If we have a community of people in this building that are all working and making things and enjoying cultural experiences, that’s building a stronger community that will ripple out across not just the creative sector, but Cornwall.”
Come and join us
The Ladder’s Work Room opens this autumn, offering flexible co-working desks in the heart of Redruth. Whether you’re a theatre-maker, freelancer, or part of a creative organisation, the Work Room offers more than a desk: it’s a chance to be part of a community that’s shaping Cornwall’s cultural future.
