AN organisation which supports work to keep the memory and work of one of Launceston’s most prolific creative talents alive has been forced to close its doors after being denied support by the town’s council.

For many years, the town's Merchant House has served as a window into the world of Launceston’s celebrated poet Charles Causley, and somewhere which helps provide funding for the work of the Charles Causley Trust.

In 2023, the charity announced it would be using part of the nearly 500-year-old Grade 2* listed building to share Causley’s love of literature as a book shop, restoring it after featuring on Historic England and Cornwall Buildings group “Buildings at Risk” register for a number of years.

However, it has been revealed this week that the site will now be closing its doors, after the council voted against financially supporting the trust with rent for the building.

Cllr Joan Heaton, member of Launceston Town Council and trustee of the Causley Trust, explained: “As an elected Launceston town councillor, I had to declare an interest and not take part in any grant applications for the Causley Trust as I am a trustee.

“A grant application was made in April 2026 to Launceston Town Council for assistance for the 2nd Launceston Poetry Festival in May 2026. The hope was that Launceston Town Council might waive the hire costs of the hall. This went to the Finance and General Purposes Committee on April 28, 2026. Councillors voted against giving the grant.

“There was a resolution proposed not to grant the Causley Trust the grant. Four councillors were in favour of the grant and voted against the resolution. Five councillors voted for the resolution and against the grant.”

Cllr Heaton has described the decision as ‘very disappointing’ citing the importance of Causley to Launceston.

“The chair of the trustees, David Devanney, had attended the meeting and presented his case to councillors,” she continued. “The Causley Trustees could not really understand why Launceston Town Council would not support such an important event for the town.

“Nevertheless, we continue to promote Charles Causley's work in our schools and maintain Cyprus Well as a cultural retreat. The Causley shop was a lovely idea to honour Charles Causley and thanks must be given to the owner of Merchant House, Mr David Scott, who offered it to us at a very reasonable rate. We cannot afford the rent anymore and so the sad decision was made by the trustees to close it.”

Commenting on the matter, a spokesperson for Launceston Town Council said: “The town council received a grant application from the Charles Casuley Trust applying for support in helping it to develop, manage and resource the annual Launceston Poetry Festival and develop and maintain the retail/visitor welcome space in Merchant House.

“This application was considered at the February meeting of the Finance and General Purposes committee and it was resolved that a grant not be awarded. At the same February meeting, a grant was awarded to the same organisation for the annual Council Tax payment for Cyprus Well. This grant is for a sum of £2,161.75, which is the second highest in total for any grant awarded to any of the 27 grant applicants, the majority of whom receive a grant of £250.”