The St Agnes Miners and Mechanics’ Institute, nestled in the heart of the historic coastal village, has been an important venue in St Agnes for generations. Built over 130 years ago for miners and working-class citizens, the institute is still going strong today as a community venue. Sadly, like many places today, the institute is battling rising costs and the fear of closure.  

The Miners and Mechanics’ Institute is a registered charity established to ensure the venue benefits the whole community. However, the large building is expensive to run, and ever-increasing costs have hit the charity hard; bills have quadrupled in three years! With bank reserves running low, a ‘Save the MMI’ campaign has been established to raise £40,000 to keep the building open and secure its future. The plan is to invest in greener energy systems to help cut bills long term, ensuring the venue can be used by future generations.  

When we heard about the fundraiser, we happily donated £500, and in thanks, the charity invited us for a tour of the institute and made us Business Sponsors. We hope that our donation goes some way in supporting the fundraiser and the amazing space at the institute.  

The St Agnes Miners and Mechanics’ Institute is home to a range of weekly groups and classes, including yoga, pilates, flamenco classes, painting lessons, baby groups and more. In addition to regular clubs, the institute also hosts events throughout the year, such as concerts and live music. Members of the community also benefit from room hire options available at the institute. The dedicated MMI Workspace can be booked regularly or as a one-off for remote working, while the larger event rooms can be hired out for events such as parties. 

The building’s original front room houses a wholesome and welcoming cafe, aptly named institute, serving delicious deli-style sandwiches (with meats smoked in-house), pastries, teas, coffees and more. The cafe has become a much-loved staple of the community.  

We hope that the fundraiser is successful and the fantastic institute continues to run as a community space for all.  

Tags: Charity