Market Inn Reopens in Truro After £550,000 Renovation

After three years behind closed doors and a £550,000 renovation, The Market Inn on Lemon Quay has reopened its doors today, Thursday 26th February 2026, at midday.

The landmark Grade II listed pub, next to the Hall for Cornwall, has been sympathetically restored with backing from Star Pubs, part of HEINEKEN UK. The investment also includes a grant from the New Life for City Buildings project, funded by the Truro Town Deal.

Six new jobs have been created as a result of the reopening.

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

Victorian features restored

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

Inside, the building has been fully overhauled after falling into disrepair. Original features have been restored, with furniture and fabrics chosen to reflect its Victorian character. The interior now includes a traditional wooden bar and backbar, wood panelling, classic wall mirrors and a mix of artisan stools and deep button-back seating in rich velvet fabrics.

Timber boards and chequerboard-style tiles form the new flooring. Other details include decorative ceiling plasterwork, a picture rail, a wooden drinks shelf with traditional tiled backing and a reclaimed fireplace in the lounge area.

A new coffee station has been added and the toilets refurbished.

📷Star Pubs Business Development Manager, Seb Benton and publican Karen Hawthorne - Credit: Mike Newman

Drinks and entertainment

The Market Inn will focus on an extensive drinks selection throughout the day, including craft beer, cask ale, cocktails, soft drinks and fresh coffee.

As part of the refurbishment, new dispense technology has been installed to ensure consistent quality draught beer and cider, while reducing waste, water and energy consumption.

Entertainment will feature regular live music, an interactive quiz playable on mobile phones and an onscreen interactive horse racing game. The pub is also seeking card teams to play Euchre.

Opening hours will be 11am to midnight, seven days a week.

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

A return to its roots

The pub was previously known as “Ma Shaw’s”, a nickname given in recognition of a 20th century landlady who ran it from 1929 to 1971 and made it a key gathering place for the Truro community.

Publican Karen Hawthorne will run the pub on behalf of Star Pubs. Karen, who was born in Truro, returned to the city six years ago. She has more than 20 years’ experience in hospitality, previously ran her own beauty salon and most recently oversaw the hospitality suite at Truro Football Club. She will be joined by her daughter and nephew, with her younger son also helping out.

Karen said: “I have been counting down the days until the reopening of The Market Inn, looking forward to breathing new life into this landmark pub. It is a gorgeous characterful building and now that it is refurbished looks absolutely stunning. It’s in a fantastic location in the heart of the city and will be a great addition to Truro’s hospitality scene. The team is trained up and equally excited about opening this week.

“The Market Inn will be a top-quality community pub in the city centre and will have a wide appeal for locals and visitors wanting a drink, coffee and some great company. So do drop in and say hello.”

Seb Benton, Business Development Manager for Star Pubs, added: “It’s a great start to the year to be reopening The Market Inn after a three-year closure returning it to the community, and to have created somewhere of which Truro can be proud. It is an outstanding building in a prime position next to The Hall of Cornwall. We have worked hard to ensure that we respect the building’s listed status and its character so that when you enter you get a real sense of drinking in a classic Victorian city centre pub.

“I also want to thank the Truro Regeneration Company CIC for the grant support towards the pub’s accommodation through the New Life for City Buildings project. In the past, The Market Inn was the main gathering place for farmers and traders on market days. With a Farmers Market still taking place in Lemon Quay on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it’s time to reinstate The Market Inn as the place to socialise and relax. Wishing visitors and locals many happy days and evenings ahead.”

Rupert Hume-Kendall, Chair of Truro Regeneration Company CIC, said: “One of the main objectives of the NLCB project was to help stimulate the nighttime economy in Truro. Another was to lever in private sector investment to refurbish vacant or underutilised buildings. The grant we have awarded to the Market Inn has helped deliver both of these objectives and it is fantastic to see the building back in commercial use.”

The New Life for City Buildings project is one of seven projects in the Truro Town Deal programme. In June 2021, Truro secured £23.6 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund. The NLCB project, led by Truro City Council via the Truro Regeneration Company CIC, was awarded £3.3 million of Town Deal funding in 2024 to support the refurbishment and repurposing of vacant and underused buildings in the city.

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman

📷Market Inn, Truro - Credit: Mike Newman