Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Sixty years

At the Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting in March, we heard from departing chairman Dennis Dowrick. "Your Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for 60 years, continually working for the good of the town and surrounding area. Promoting the good and clearing. away obstructions to furthering business," said Mr. Dowrick. "Remember it is your Chamber, your town, it is as good as you make it. Don't knock it - build it." Newly elected chairman Mike Waters made his opening speech to the Chamber of Commerce stressing the need for a proactive chamber and making closer links with traders on Market Jew Street and Causewayhead. He hopes that the Chamber will made further progress on 'zero tolerance' of beggars in the town.

New members

The Chamber would like to welcome some new members. Anyone wishing to join the Chamber, please get in touch. We now have a lot more space on our page, and are always interested in. featuring local businesses. This is a unique opportunity for publicity and costs nothing!

Bar CoCo's, 12 Chapel Street, Penzance.
Stellar Knight Communications, Internet Development.
Claws and Paws, 5 Wharfside Shopping Centre.

Xmas Lights

You are probably used to hearing the pleas for help with organising and setting up the Christmas lights but unless you get involved the next news you hesr about will be that the lights simply won't happen. There will be another meeting at the Bath Inn on 3 April at 7.30 pm, and if there is no response there will be no lights this year. "It is a sad day when from the whole of the town's main street, only four people come forward", said Hazel Trembath, of the Brighter Christmas Volunteers. Come to the next meeting, or phone Hazel on 01736-361378.

Biffa's future

BIFFA, the refuse collection company, have recently renewed their contract. Until now, part of their service included the provision that they would collect, with ad-vance warning, up to three bulky items, such as unwanted beds, or tables, from households and businesses. However they have just announced that they will no longer be providing this service from the end of March. There is no indication of how we are to dispose with unwanted items in the future, and there are fears that this will lead to the dumping of these items, which is not only unacceptable but potentially dangerous.

Hospital fears

The Chamber of Commerce has recently learned of the recent proposal to reduce designated doctor cover on the A and E ward at West Cornwall Hospital. There is the possibility that there will be no doctor present in the casualty department from 11 pm to 9 am from April this year. Several letters from the Chamber have been written, including one to local MP Andrew George expressing concern at the proposal, and its potential consequences. "I am extremely concerned to hear of the proposal", said Andrew George. "I have now raised the questions in your letter with Brian Milstead - Chief Executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust". This raises the question of what would happen in an emergency, as many people without transport would find it extremely difficult to get to Truro, especially at night. Concern was also expressed at the increasmg amount of hospital appointments being transferred to Treliske.

Members - 2000

The following Chamber members have been elected for the Millennium year:

Chairman M. Waters - 01736-361007: Vice Chairman B. Orme - 01736-335000; Immediate Past Chairman Dennis Dowrick - 01736-330500; President P. French - 01736-363434; Treasurer J. Bastow - 01736-333124; IT expert M.Galahad - 07968 676313.

Council Members: S.Bodinar, J.Garrison, R.Hilder, M.Holden, D.Kemp, P.Murphy, Mrs Rylett, M.Skinner, S.Smith, B.Spiegeihalter, Press Officer E.Vowles - 01736-331813

Representatives: CAB - M.Waters; CCTV - P.French; Golowan - P.Collins; Health & Safety - M.Waters; PDC - TCC - T.Reynolds and M.Holden; Police Liaison - T.Reynolds and Mr & Mrs Garrison; Twinning: Concarneau - G.Nicholls, Cuxhaven - Y.Neale.

Chamber Secretary - Yvonne Neale (Mrs), 16 Fore Street, Goldsithney, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 9LG. Tel and Fax 01736-719222. Email yvonne@pzchamber.freeonline.co.uk Web http://www.penzance.co.uk.

April Meeting

The next Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4th at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

Previous Newsletters

PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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