Penzance Chamber of Commerce

It would be foolish to suggest that those with a mature, business-like mind should believe in Father Christmas. And for those in the retail sector who understand the 'festive period' to be an incredibly useful marketing ploy, there may be little to celebrate during the pressured time of a stressfully high rate of sales. While others are enjoying office parties, the efforts of the consumerist saviours are largely overlooked. The long hours, the pressure to remain suitably stocked, the hard-earned wedge of devoted customers to count - it really is an awful time!

Evidently the torment has been unusually sharp in Penzance this year, and many have been so hardly hit that the frustration of jam-packed stores and constantly chiming tills has forced them to deviate from the traditional display of seasonal cheer. Some store managers have had the strength to make at least a token effort by way of a little tinsel, but alas, a large number of shop-keepers found it all a bit too much.

The predicament of over-worked retailers has had a disastrous knock-on effect to the local populous, with teary eyed children being frightened by the relative gloom of West Cornwall's prime market town. Anxious parents have been forced to make alternative shopping visits to more brightly garnished competitor towns. Meanwhile, we hear that a young woman required counselling for depression this week. Her symptom emerged after visiting Mousehole and Newlyn to see the proud efforts of a cheerier community. The sudden transition into darkness upon her return to Penzance was quite overwhelming.

Christmas is a time for caring about your fellow man, and it is a little selfish to force your festive requirements upon suffering retailers who clearly don't want to know. If you must spend a fortune on gifts for friends and family, then please have the courtesy to do so in stores that have been designated as participators. All shops involved in the festival are clearly marked with coloured lights, streamers, snow spray, etc.

Managers of shops, pubs and restaurants who did make an effort this year were invited to attend an award ceremony at 6.30pm at the Wharfside Shopping Centre on Thursday 20th December. The Mayor of Penzance was to announce the winners of the Chamber's judging of the best-decorated premises in town, and winners will be rewarded with publicity and the gratitude of Penzance.

VAT Dilemma

New Government proposals to change the way Value Added Tax is paid by South Western service industries has been met with a mixed response.

The initiative is part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's "Small Business Strategy" to reduce red tape and boost business for those dependent on the rural and tourist economy who have been hit hard over the past year by the foot and mouth crisis and terrorist scares.

Under new Customs and Excise proposals, intended to make the calculation of VAT easier for small businesses while saving them around Ł1000 a year in administration costs, there would be a flat rate scheme. Traders could avoid having to account internally for VAT on all purchases and supplies, and simply calculate their net VAT liability as a percentage of their total turnover. The proposed flat rate for hotels is 10.5%, public houses 7%, and restaurants 13%.

The scheme will be available to businesses with a turnover of less than Ł125,000 p.a. Businesses can decide when to join or leave the scheme. The Government acknowledges, however, that as with many cases, "it will benefit some but not everyone".

Penzance Boat Show

Penzance Chamber of Commerce recently announced plans for a boat show to be held over Easter weekend next year. The event, to be held on the site of the Old Gas Works in Wharf Road, will be an important crowd puller at the traditional start of Cornwall's tourist season, and will put Penzance on the nautical map in advance of the building of the proposed development of the harbour. It will also mark the Chamber's contribution to the Queen's Jubilee.

For further information and sponsorship enquiries, call Mike Waters on tel: 01736-361007 or by Email to: mike@safetyuk.co.uk.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Father Christmas made a brief visit to Penzance on Friday 21st December, before his busiest night of the year. In a rare interview, the man in red revealed that Rudolf has a fond liking for Cornish pasties, which are an essential requirement for his flying talent (or is that magic mushrooms?).

Santa and his little helpers were walking about town on Friday, and delighting local children by offering free gifts - as long as they were being very good and were not overly annoying parents on frantic shopping missions.

Online for business

UK online is the Government's strategy for the information age. The strategy has four programmes:

UK online for business, offering impartial support to businesses
UK online centres, providing people with training and access to new technologies
UK online public libraries, offering Internet access
and www.ukonline.gov.uk, providing a single online entry point of government information and services.

It offers people and businesses a service from government that better matches the way that they live and work, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Searching for that special Christmas gift?

Vanessa has been trading from her converted 18th century cottage in Chapel Street since September, and follows on in her father's footsteps. Michael Hersey has been in the silver trade for 45 years, and has produced fine silverware for such stores as Mappin & Webb, Aspreys, Tiffanys, John Lewis and Harrods. He served his apprenticeship with William Couyns at Dean Street, London, as a silver spinner, and while working for CJ Vander made the Ascot Gold Cup and Wimbledon Tennis Trophy replicas.

Vanessa is the agent for her father in the West Country as well as supplying a national and international mail order service. She also supplies Cornish Handmade Jewellery, Hot Diamonds Sterling Silver and Diamond Jewellery, Java Jewellery, Old Florence Italian Designer Jewellery and Silver Scenes Silver Plated Photo frames and trinket boxes. Vanessa also promises to be able to get hold of any silverware item not in stock.

The perfect place to find that special Christmas gift, Vanessa Hersey Silverware is open daily offering a friendly and helpful service. The boutique can be found at Cutters House, 52 Chapel Street, Penzance. For telephone enquiries, call Vanessa on 01736 363716.

Xmas Update

Penwith District Council are this week allowing free parking in their car parks across town. Wharfside Shopping Centre is holding Christmas events Thursday 20th and all day Saturday 22nd December. Christmas lights and decorations were finally erected across Penzance this month, following concerns that there would be none at all.

Although there wasn't the usual torch lit procession, there was a large turn out for the switching on of the lights. Although not a major display, Golowan are to be thanked for their efforts, having been called in to arrange the decorations by the town council at the last minute. Golowan's Stephen Hall told The Cornishman: "There was a good turn out - and it is something that we can build upon in later years. "We can start planning for that now - to ensure that it will be bigger and better".

The vocal talent of the choir of Humphry Davy School serenaded shoppers at the Wharfside last week. The choir also gave impromptu performances along their walk to the shopping centre. And unless you've eaten your telly, you would have heard about the Christmas release of the first part of the dramatisation of Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings'. It is hotly tipped to be the greatest film production of the year, and you'd be a fool to miss it!

A successful year of community service

YMCA Cornwall has this month published its annual report outlining the success of a wide range of community projects.

In his opening comment, Chairman of Directors Pat French reports that the Alverton-based organisation has worked hard towards the development of a firm financial footing for operational growth, and that a number of items were introduced into a programme of support for the young people of Cornwall this year.

Mr French writes: "It is important that we do not lose sight of the need to serve all the youth in our area. It is from the entire youth population that youngsters come - some from family relationships which may have broken down. Whilst we recognise the need to provide special help to young people who have become homeless through no fault of their own, we must also continue to strive to provide a meaningful programme of activities targeted at the majority of youngsters who form the rest of the youth population".

Living in rural areas or in tourist-centred locations whose amenities are generally closed during winter months can be the cause of boredom to many youths, some of whose only alternative entertainment is to get into mischief. The Cornishman highlighted an extreme example of this last week in a report concerning attacks on the elderly by Pendeen youths.

YMCA Cornwall have sought to counter teenage boredom with a varied programme of activities including football, youth clubs, a computer club, swimming, fundraising events and visits to place of interest.

The organisation is committed to ensuring adequate housing for the young, and supports a housing project for homeless and vulnerable young people aged between 16 and 25. Since October it has taken homeless referrals from outside agencies, and offered emergency hostel accommodation.

YMCA Cornwall also offers housing advice to the young, and organises a resettlement project that has helped a number of people to find their own accommodation. YMCA Cornwall can be contacted on tel: 01736-365016

Join the Chamber

The Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of local business with the County, District and Town Councils, Government agencies and public bodies. It actively campaigns on issues affecting the business community as well as issues affecting the community as a whole. This requires finances and direct involvement by committed people, and deserves the support of every business in the region.

Our Chairman is coordinator of the West Cornwall Group of Chambers and the Cornwall Business Partnership. He is a member of the Priority Management Group 3, which approves Objective One funding in the area of Learning and Skills development, and also a member of the Penzance Regeneration Steering Group that has been working for the last 18 months on the submission of an Objective One bid to greatly enhance the prosperity of the town and its inhabitants. Other members represent the Chamber on such bodies as the Police Consultative Committee and Tourism Committee.

All businesses have problems from time to time, and it has been proved that representation from a Chamber Officer on behalf of the member concerned can greatly enhance the prospect of a satisfactory conclusion. With major issues, such as the Penzance Regeneration Project, West Cornwall Hospital, Objective One and so on needing input from the business community there has never been a better reason for all businesses to become Chamber members - The greater our membership, the bigger our voice. JOIN NOW!

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, January 8th 2002 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

The Voice of Business in West Cornwall

Chamber Monthly News - December 2001

The Lightmare before Christmas