Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Presentation to Chamber on hospital

The Primary Care Trust made a presentation to those members present at the Chamber's last meeting on July 2 concerning the rationale behind their proposed changes to West Cornwall Hospital.

While, as expected, Dr Ed Ferrett (chairman), Paul Robinson and Dr Nick Gibson (a GP from Hayle) made a feasible case in a well constructed manner, the content of the presentation lacked detail and supporting information or statistics. The team then received questions from the floor and allayed some of the fears held by members, with much play made of the fact that many people's fears over the reduction in services arose, in their opinion, from a "difference of terminology" or "meaning of words".

The crux of the matter is this: The Community Health council have stated that Cornwall requires two General Hospitals. The Primary Care Trust agree, but consider that this means Treliske and Derriford! However, neither of these satisfies the needs of West Cornwall.

It remains the firm opinion of Penzance Chamber of Commerce that the people of Penwith deserve and need a fully staffed and equipped General Hospital located in Penzance.

The consultation period ends on the 19 July, so at the time of reading this you only have little time left to make your feelings known. Please do so!

Visit www.penzance.co.uk to get involved with local issues such as this one and see the Chamber page

'The Guide' launched

Coco's Bar in Chapel Street was the location last month of The Guide's official launch party. The Guide, a free events and listings magazine for Penzance and surrounding area, is produced across the road from Coco's by Surcutus Publishing. Surcutus's managing director, Mark Guthrie said of the evening: "It was a great night, with limbo, music and free Bacardi - and some conversation too, I believe - and I'd like to thank everyone who came for making it such a success." The Guide's ~ fifth issue will be appearing through local letterboxes this week.

French market for Penwith

Penwith Council plans to host a French Market in Penzance on 30 and 31 August and 1 September. The event, planned to take place on the Wharfside car park, will consist of a number of large vehicles selling many and varied French products.

While Penzance Chamber of Commerce supports original initiatives such as this that will bring visitors to the town and increase the trade of our members, It was felt that the location of the market Is not ideal as it will restrict the number of parking spaces available, consequently increasing the difficulty faced by motorists trying to get into Penzance.

We have made our feelings known to the organiser, Mike Foxley, along with some other members of the community and he has decided to keep the location the same but postpone the event until October, when the car park will not be quite so full. This will also give more time for the council to involve local people and generate more publicity to make it a bigger event

Penzance Regeneration Project

The plans for the regeneration of Penzance, utilising Objective One funding and including the provision of a breakwater and manna, are progressing well. The Development Officer, Nigel Horwell, is working hard to push ahead the improvements identified as a result of the survey conducted by W S Atkins last year.

A website devoted to the Penzance Regeneration Project is now up and running. It was developed by Richard Camel-Galahad of Crowned Child Productions and is sponsored by Safety UK.

A visit to www.penzanceregeneration.co.uk will reveal details of the project and updated information concerning its progress. There is also a discussion forum for interested parties to let their voices be heard by the Steering Group, which is chaired by Mike Waters, also chairman of Penzance Chamber of Commerce. There has been considerable interest in the project from all over the world and E-mails are being received on a daily basis supporting the development of a marina in Penzance and requesting more information.

It is hoped that there will be similar support from investors and developers in the project as matched funding is required. An information pack for circulation to potential developers from private businesses should be available at the end of July.

Any Questions?

The popular Radio 4 programme, Any Questions, with Jonathan Dimbleby, is broadcast live from St Piran's Hall in Goldsithney on Friday, July 19. Doors open at 6.45 pm and the broadcast commences at 7.30 pm. Admission is free - as is parking - but tickets are required.

Tickets are available by calling Yvonne Neale on 01736-710322.

Continental feel to the Boatshed Café-Bar

The Boatshed Café-Bar is one of a new generation of eating establishments to spring up on the Penzance scene. Refurbishments and changes in style carried out this last year have completely transformed the premises from its previous incarnation as the original Bosun's Locker Eating House.

The Boatshed has a distinctly continental feel in keeping with its original heritage. Located on the harbour front in one of the oldest parts of the town, it's at the heart of where much of the original commercial activity that helped to establish Penzance as a trading port. With trading connections and seafaring links with all parts of the continent as well as the New World, it has been mentioned that beneath the timbers of the old store and restaurant room, the masters of Neopolitan brigs out of Rio, or homeward bound East Indiamen transacted a bargain or two amidst the rich aromas of Geneva Gin, Schnapps and Turkey Twist.

Head Chef Keith Stevenson has recently taken charge of the kitchen, having returned from a tour of duty in France, and brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Boatshed table. These days a core menu of popular dishes is supplemented by Keith with an ever-changing variety of tantalizing specials. During the season, the Boatshed Café-Bar is open throughout the day and evening and is intended to be as versatile as possible according to your needs.

As owner Nigel Waller explains: "If you just want to take a relaxing stroll around the harbour to take in the general boating scene, you may just be tempted by the aroma of freshly ground 'Costa' coffee or a glass of one of our splendid wines or a cool beer or even a jug of sangria. We have a range of tapas or snacks available throughout the day as well as the full dining experience. Keith provides an excellent range of tasty sweets available at all times including a variety of homemade cheesecakes, which" - Nigel's eyes mist over at this point - "are second to none."

The Nachos, coffee or glass of wine may tempt you to return to dine at the Boatshed as the harbour lights come on. There is an extensive range of main course dishes which includes a variety of fish specials such as roast langoustines with garlic, rosemary and lemon or whole sea bass stuffed with butter lemon and fresh dill. Not to mention Thai mussels with coriander and chilli peppers, scallops, steamed red mullet with salad and couscous, or simply a sautéed Cornish seafood prepared in Tahitian coconut and sweet chilli sauce. Vegetarians aren't neglected either. There's a full range of pasta and vegetarian dishes such as roast pepper and red pesto pasta through to more traditional dishes such as special sirloin served on a garlic mash topped with caramelized onion.

There is also an extensive range of first class wines to accompany any meal, such as the award winning "Red Wine of the Year" Pepperwood Grove Californian Zinfandel, or the famous Ponder Estate New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough - an elegant crisp dry white that complements any fish dish. Pay them a visit and you'll find out why these are exciting times at the Boatshed.

Phone: 01736-366746 or 01736-368845 for general information or reservations.

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. He is also a member of the Penzance Regeneration Steering Group that has worked 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.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6th 2002 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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