Star Pubs Reopens Landmark Truro Pub After a Three-Year Closure

Star Pubs has reopened The Market Inn in Truro after a three-year closure. It is the company’s first Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator pub in Cornwall and, at £450,000, represents one of its largest JAT site investments this year. By the end of the first quarter, Star Pubs will have invested £2.5 million in 13 JAT pubs, marking its fastest-ever start to the year for new managed operator site openings.

The refurbishment of the landmark Market Inn, which is adjacent to the region’s largest events venue, The Hall for Cornwall, also benefited from a grant from the New Life for City Buildings Project, funded by the Truro Town Deal.

The stunning Grade II-listed pub has been reinstated as a family- and dog-friendly traditional inn offering regular entertainment.

Dating back to around 1900, the Market Inn’s Dutch gable and striking late-Victorian glazed tile façade have been retained and restored. Two new traditional-style lanterns and new signage complete the look.

The interior has been completely overhauled, with original features renovated and furniture and fabrics chosen to complement its Victorian character. The pub now features a traditional wooden bar and back bar, wood panelling, classic wall-mounted mirrors, and an eclectic mix of seating, including artisan stools and deep button-back seating upholstered in rich velvet.

Like other wet-led JAT sites, The Market Inn focuses on offering an extensive drinks selection throughout the day, ranging from premium, mainstream and craft beers, cask ales and cocktails to soft drinks and freshly brewed coffee.

As part of the refurbishment, the latest dispense technology has been installed to ensure consistently high-quality draught beer and cider while reducing waste, water consumption and energy use.

Entertainment at The Market Inn will include regular live music, an interactive quiz that customers can play on their phones, and an on-screen interactive horse-racing game. The pub will also be looking for card teams interested in playing Euchre.

Mick Howard, Star Pubs Operations Director, said: “It’s great to have broken ground on so many JAT projects so early in the year and to be opening our first in Cornwall.

“The Market Inn is an outstanding building in a prime location next to The Hall for Cornwall. We have worked hard to respect the building’s listed status and character so that, when you enter, you get a real sense of being in a classic Victorian city-centre pub.

“I would also like to thank Truro Regeneration Company CIC for its additional grant support towards the pub’s accommodation through the New Life for City Buildings project.”

Rupert Hume-Kendall, Chair of Truro Regeneration Company CIC (Regenco), said: “One of the main objectives of the New Life for City Buildings project was to help stimulate Truro’s nighttime economy. Another was to leverage private-sector investment to refurbish vacant or underutilised buildings. The grant awarded to The Market Inn has helped deliver both of these objectives, and it is fantastic to see the building back in commercial use.”