Penzance Chamber of Commerce

In Support of West Cornwall Hospital

Chamber Chairman, Mike Waters, has this month written in support of West Cornwall Hospital in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust. Mr Waters writes with reference to the proposed Penzance Harbour & Town Development which would have a significant impact upon the retention and enhancement of accident and emergency provision.

"It can easily be seen that there is significant potential for many injuries occurring during the construction phase of the proposed development, even with the strictest of control measures being applied, which will result in the need for medical attention. Major injuries will require immediate medical attention if lives are to be saved, which may not be quick enough if there is a dilution of the services provided at West Cornwall Hospital," writes Mr Waters.

"Once the construction phase of the Penzance project is completed an enormous potential for increased tourism exists which increases the potential for RTAs as visitors are a primary cause of such accidents given their unfamiliarity with local traffic layouts and systems."

Mr Waters continues: "I am gravely concerned that unless the review at least maintains the accident and emergency services provided by West Cornwall Hospital that people may die unnecessarily. This is apart from the fact that the local population will not receive the same level of service enjoyed by the rest of the country, and families in West Cornwall will continue to suffer emotionally and financially whilst endeavouring to be with loved ones whilst in Treliske … The stress caused by not having adequate facilities in Penzance leads to many people seeking medical attention, which is paid for from the NHS budget, and needing recuperation time off work thereby placing an unfair burden on employers."

A common example of the absolute necessity for a local hospital service came last week when Ivy Mayor from Brentwood, Essex, was taken seriously ill while visiting her son, Mounts Bay Inn patron Dennis Mayor. "My mother was treated very quickly at West Cornwall Hospital, and I don't think she would have survived if she had to travel to Treliske," said Mr Mayor.

£1.5m Blind Date for Businesses

Small businesses are being given the opportunity to be introduced to their perfect investment partner as part of a new £1.5m government initiative. The Government's Small Business Service has teamed up with the National Business Angels Network to enable businesses to meet their perfect partner in a move to stimulate awareness of corporate venturing.

Corporate venturing is designed to enable small firms to enter into a relationship with a larger firm that will bring finance, contacts and facilities, while allowing them to retain their individuality. Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths said: "Businesses are like people - with the right partner they flourish. That is why I am launching a blind date for business to introduce investors they would not otherwise meet."

Two thirds of the US top 100 companies are thought to be employing corporate venturing as a means of finding new markets and customers. The UK market is yet relatively small, and research by the DTI suggests that what has prevented UK businesses from getting involved with corporate venturing has been the prior lack of such a matchmaking service.

The National Business Angels Network can be telephoned on 0207-329-4141.

Evening of Music

An evening of music comes to Goldsithney later this month with a concert by Penzance Silver Band and local singer Libby Pentreath. The event is being hosted at St Piran's Hall on Sunday 30th September at 7.45pm, and funds raised will be shared between St Piran's Hall and Goldsithney Chapel. Tickets priced at £3.00 will be available on the door and a super evening is promised. The venue has ample free parking available.

Chamber Pledge

Phase One of the Penzance Harbour and Town Regeneration project was recently completed with the final report having been presented to the Steering Group and Town, District and County Councillors. The Action Plan arising from the report comprises 28 integrated projects including environmental enhancement, harbour development, commercial opportunities, tourism, and community projects.

Phase Two of the project requires funding of £120,000 of which the Chamber has pledged £5000. It is hoped that this sum will be raised by donations. All local businesses stand to gain from the fruition of this project, and all are invited to assist with donations.

Cornish Stitch

The Cornish Stitch Shop has been renamed Cornish Stitch Designs. Accordingly, their website address has been altered to www.cornishstitchdesigns.co.uk The company has recently added to its collection of cross-stitch design kits with a range of local scenes and a selection of Cornish language designs.

Remploy

Proving that an ethical approach and a good business practice are happy bedfellows, Remploy Limited have since the middle of the last century been providing much needed opportunities for disabled people, while developing an array of business services nationally. Now the UK's largest employer of people with disabilities, and with an annual turnover exceeding £165 million, Remploy's commercial businesses comprise of 87 operational units across the UK employing 6000 disabled people. A further 4000 people are based with host employers as part of the company's Interwork supported employment programme.

With a regional base at Long Rock Industrial Estate, Remploy are largely involved with the contract manufacturing business and with packaging. In addition, their products and services include the manufacture of furniture for the education and hotel sectors, orthotics and wheelchairs, bio-chemical protective clothing, packaging products, product recycling, managed personal and business services, multimedia materials and bookbinding.

Remploy was set up in 1945 in response to the 1944 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, and was initially known as the Disabled Person Employment Corporation Ltd, designed to "provide training and productive sheltered employment". The first factory opened in April 1946 in Bridgend.

The Long Rock unit is also a centre for training, job coaching and skills development. Novice office workers are trained to a high level of competency and confidence in office and communication skills with an education programme that is supported by Penwith College.

A more recent development for Remploy is the launch of a selection of office services, and the refit of its office space with computer workstations and high-speed ISDN Internet connections. Well-trained staff are now available for administration services for local businesses including call minding, diary management, business planning and market research.

Whatever your business there is certain to be an area in which Remploy can provide professional business solutions. To discuss your needs, please contact Gerrard Newrick on 01736 367601. Remploy, Poniou Way, Long Rock Industrial Estate, Long Rock TR20 8HX.

A Step Closer to a Media Centre in Cornwall

Penwith District Council has invested £3000 into a bid by the Media Centre for Cornwall group to develop West Cornwall's film industry. A successful bid would entail great benefits for the region in terms of local employment, and the creation of a state-of-the-art media centre.

Cathy Lake, who is co-ordinating the funding campaign, is delighted that all the effort of long term planning is beginning to bear fruit. She says: "We have been very fortunate in having a lot of help from Penwith, but it's still a bit of a marathon. I am beginning to lose count of the number of application forms we have had to fill in."

MCC will next be meeting on 25 September at The Acorn Theatre at 7.30pm. Everyone who wants to see media progress in Cornwall is invited to attend, and to join the project if they have not already done so. The evening will also include the election of three new directors and will usher in an organisation that will be truly representative of its members. The bigger the turnout the more likely it is that Government and the funding bodies will take the proposal seriously. This is all the more important as it now seems that MCC may be in a prime position to benefit from a resurgence of interest in media based projects.

Small Firms are Winning with the Web

Small Firms using the Internet are gaining a clear competitive advantage over rivals without web access, according to a new survey published in this months Better Business magazine.

Some 39% of business users claim an increase in sales enquiries, and a fifth a boost in profits since going online. The nationwide Small Business Watch poll of small firms, commissioned by Yell - formerly the Yellow Pages group - reveals that 52% of small firms are now using the Internet, and a further 15% are expected to be doing so by next year. National findings reveal that more than half of business users say their decision to go online has met or exceeded their initial expectations. Of these, 46% say their company has benefited from more efficient business processes, with customers receiving a faster service, and a third claim that their customer base has grown. The impact of the Internet has seen nearly a quarter of firms increase their turnover since going online.

More positively, current and potential users plan to grow their e-business. Some 70% believe they will be purchasing and 54% selling online by next year. Just under half will be selling to other businesses and government.

John Condron, CEO of Yell, said: "This survey clearly demonstrates that companies who go online are gaining a clear advantage over non-users." Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "E-business is going to power the way we do business, and companies must look to extend and expand the way in which they use technologies if they are to gain the true benefits." Getting Online E-commerce is an essential ingredient in the redevelopment of Cornish industry. Businesses requiring further information about going online, or about developing their existing Internet presence, are advised to contact any of the following from our Members' Directory:

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!

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, October 2nd 2001 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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