Cornish Gates to Des-iron

Having been made redundant in 1988, Graham Collier decided to turn a passion with iron into a business. At the time he chose to specialise in the manufacture of gates and railings, including individual commissions that were more unusual but challenging nonetheless. Progressing from the garage originally set up in 1988 Cornish Gates was born and quickly gained a reputation for quality ironwork products.

Moving to a rented workshop to allow expansion and subsequently employing staff, Cornish Gates expanded again and in 1990 moved to its own workshop at The Old Railway Yard at Lanner Hill, in Redruth, near to the site of the original blacksmith that existed more than a hundred years ago. Complimenting the forge and anvil with modern technology allowed for larger and more detailed commissions to be undertaken.

Many of these pieces can be seen today standing proud for generations to come, including the Lost Gardens of Heligan at St Austell, Redruth Library, many local Church restorations such as Lanner, Constantine and Gwennap, and hotel commissions. Orders were also fulfilled in other counties as far afield as London.

Sadly in 2004 health and staffing difficulties resulted in the closure of Cornish Gates. However, after successfully obtaining planning permission on the site a new workshop has risen phoenix-like and Des-iron is now continuing the age-old profession once again. It will provide the quality of an established business and a name to be trusted but with a more individual, bespoke service.