Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Focus

Focus, the re-named monthly feature published by the Penzance Chamber of Commerce in the Cornishman, is devoted in April to the recently renamed Penzance Winter Festival Group. Sadly we must stress that without support from the local community, Christmas lights in Penzance may soon become a thing of the past. Please take onboard our leading article, and offer what help you can.

The End of Christmas Lights in Penzance

Christmas shopping in Penzance will be a dull prospect this year. While the streets of Mousehole and St Ives will be flocked by visitors delighting in festive decoration and brightly eyed children gazing excitably at displays of seasonal cheer, Penzance, the principal town of West Cornwall, will have nothing. Such is the fate feared by the Penzance Winter Festival Group who met last Tuesday.

Seasonal festivities have long been in jeopardy, while a small group of volunteers have each year struggled to draw interest from the community. The situation seemed set for improvement this year however, when a Penzance publican appeared in The Cornishman voicing concern that nothing was being done in the town at what is a prime period in the calendar for both celebration and business. His remarks were followed by vocal support from a large number of publicans and retailers and the formation of a working party to organise seasonal events. Then effort was required … and those voices went silent.

Of the many who initially expressed interest, only three pubs - the First and Last, The Bath Inn and The Pirate - remain actively involved with the project. None of these licensees is situated along the main thoroughfare of the town where other businesses would benefit from the proposed activities and lighting. Meanwhile, the stores whose incomes depend on the increased consumer presence invoked by festive decorations and social events in the heart of Penzance remain reluctant to donate energy or funding.

Last Tuesday's meeting of the Winter Festival Group (formerly the Christmas and New Year Fund and the Brighter Christmas Volunteers) followed the delivery by hand of an invitation to attend and a letter explaining this direful situation to around 200 businesses in the town. With the exception of a couple of apologies there was no response, and the meeting was attended by only the same few volunteers whose commitment is the only reason why Penzance has had Christmas lighting in the past.

Such was a pitiful display from the business community, and it was suggested early on in the meeting that there should be no lights this year. Financially the prospect seems beyond reach, and without sufficient volunteers to organise events, such is unfeasible. Nevertheless, the gathered few were set to persevere. The Festival Group spent the evening brainstorming an array of possibilities for fundraising, and there will at least be a selection of seasonal events in and around the town. An absence of decoration and lighting may however be the final call for an elusive community spirit, which, essentially, Christmas is all about.

This news will upset many who enjoy Christmas shopping and revelry amid the cheerful embellishments of a yuletide Penzance. But public feeling cannot resolve a circumstance that has been warned of so often on this page. Action alone will make a difference, and had the vocal supporters of the past put their effort or money in place of un-consigned mouths this plight would not have arisen.

A challenge then to all - to businesses who benefit from seasonal celebrations and to the community who hope to see the continuation of Christmas festivities in Penzance: What are you going to do to about it?

The Penzance Winter Festival Group will meet next at the First and Last Inn on Tuesday 24 April at 7.00pm. They will also be holding numerous fundraising events throughout the year that we shall advertise on this page. The Festival Group also invites financial donations from local businesses, as well as volunteers to participate in fundraising events.

You can make a difference by contacting: The Winter Festival Group, c/o The First and Last Inn, Alverton, Penzance, TR18 4TN.

Historic Chapel Street

The Historic Chapel Street Group, which aims to enhance, preserve and promote the Chapel Street area through facilitating the expression of all points of view, invites local residents and people who work in the locality to its regular meetings. The group, which meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 5.30pm, is open to all who have an interest in Chapel Street and its environs, including New Street and Queen St. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd at the Hypatia Meeting Place, Antron House, 66 Chapel Street. Further details can be found on www.chapelstreet.co.uk.

A light quiz

A new monthly season of pub quizzes begins this month in aid of the Winter Festival Group. The first will be held at The Bath Inn on Thursday 26 April at 7.30pm. Teams should be a maximum of four persons, and the entry fee is £1 per team member. The Festival Group would like to invite all pubs in the area to send a team. The aim is to then hold the quiz at a different venue each month.

Jump for Christmas

Have you got the bottle to leap out of a plane for charity? The Winter Festival Group is planning a sponsored parachute jump later this year, and invites volunteers ready to take the plunge. If interested, please write to: Karen Heale, c/o Exhibit 1, 22 Market Place, Penzance, TR18 2JD.

Spotlight on Business - Exhibit 1

Staying abreast of fashion trends Exhibit 1, the ladies fashion store situated in Market Place, has been trading in Penzance for nine years. It is one of five branches in the South West that grew from an independent wholesale operation. The company continues to wholesale under its own label, as well as retailing a large selection of clothes, shoes and accessories.

An enthusiastic and constantly developing store, Exhibit 1 has recently seen changes establishing itself as one of the top fashion outlets in town. A refit of the shop front features the work of local artist Anita Shaw, while within a new line of Italian lingerie exclusive to Exhibit 1 is set to enhance an already plentiful collection of high fashion wares.

As an independent company, Exhibit 1 is always on the ball when it comes to staying abreast of the latest fashion trends. Sourcing their rails from across Europe, and with buyers making frequent visits to London, the store receives new stock weekly.

In addition to clothes and accessories, Exhibit 1 caters for a wide range of fashion and beauty needs. Last November they opened a piercing studio at the Penzance branch that offers body art in a safe, hygienic location and with fully trained staff. The near future will see the launch of the new 'Tan City' - a solarium with top of the range sun beds.

The shop, which is co-managed by Karen Heale and Steph Wright, offers a high level of service with a unique ability to stay at the cutting edge of fashion. Friendly and co-operative staff look forward to your visit.

Spotlight on Business - Cornish Stitch Shop celebrates local scenery

After many years spent in the craft trade, John and Thelma Murrish opened the Cornish Stitch Shop in order to concentrate upon producing an extensive range of unique cross-stitch designs. The Cornish Stitch Shop at the Wharf Road level of Wharfside Shopping Centre is well stocked with these decorative works as well as materials for all your stitching needs.

All their kits are hand made using DMC stranded cotton sorted on an organiser with the first stitch already in position. Their designs are produced using their own photographs and sketches. They have produced a wide variety of cross-stitch kits including a large selection of Cornish scenes and old sailing vessels. Their latest cross-stitch design of Mousehole harbour is on sale at the shop now. Many of their designs are also available to order from their website www.cornishstitchshop.co.uk.

Spotlight on Business - First & Last - a nice little pub

The First and Last Inn, situated in Alverton, Penzance, was last year taken over by Sam Ryan and Lorna Angus. After an extensive renovation they opened their doors in November, and have since been delighting their customers with a warm, comfortable atmosphere and a friendly cheer.

The Inn, which truly lives up to its motto of "a nice little pub", is a great place to relax and socialise day or night. A large comfy sofa next to a roaring fire is everyone's favourite spot for reading the day's papers as supplied by the hosts. Meanwhile, the bar area is always full of interesting and conversational folk who make this one of the friendliest pubs in town.

The First and Last serves a wide selection of home cooked meals all day - from curry and lasagne, to bangers and mash and the mighty 'Uncle Sam's Burger - all at excellent value. Their 3-course Sunday Roast, at just £4.95, is one of the best deals around. Check them out - you won't be disappointed!

Accommodation Required

The Chairman, Mike Waters, is seeking someone who would be prepared to provide accommodation for a French student who will be undertaking work experience with him during the period 14th May to 14th September. Anyone able to help, please phone Mike on 01736-61007 or 07702-365681.

Online Forum for Chamber Members

In addition to this website on www.penzance.co.uk which is sponsored by the Chamber to promote all aspects of business and personal life in Penzance - for members and non-Members alike, the Chamber has this month launched a website specifically for its members at www.penzancechamber.co.uk. The members' site features an online forum for discussion of topics relevant to Penzance. It is simple to use - enter the forum via the site and register a username. You will find a list of general discussion areas, from local politics and business, to arts and conservation. You can then post a new message to any of these, or reply to someone else's message.

Join the Chamber

The Penzance Chamber of Commerce offers valuable networking opportunities, and represents the views of local businesses and individuals to all levels of government. We invite membership applications from individuals and businesses large or small. For further information, visit the Membership Enquiry or Membership Application pages on this site or our membership site at www.penzancechamber.co.uk.

Contributions to Focus pages

These pages exist to promote the work of our members, and we invite participation from all involved with the Chamber. We are also happy to publish material from anyone else with an interest in the development of Penzance. Please send your articles no later than the first Thursday of the month to feature in the forthcoming issue, or contact the Press Officer, Penzance Chamber of Commerce, 16 Fore Street, Goldsithney, Cornwall TR20 9HD to arrange an interview or Email Press Officer.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1st 2001 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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