Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Tourist industry predicts a bumper year

Cornwall is set to make a major comeback as a UK holiday destination this summer, following last year's setbacks and adverse publicity surrounding the foot and mouth crisis. Such is predicted by the popularity of the West Cornwall Holiday Magazine 2002.

Penwith District Council's tourism office has announced that there has been a record response to its advertising campaign, with nearly double the usual number of requests for copies of the holiday guide. 15,756 requests were made during January, with a further 38,400 being requested by Tourist Information Centres across the UK.>

Speaking to The Cornishman, Penwith's tourism development officer Mike Foxley said: "This is all very encouraging and demonstrates that West Cornwall remains one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations."

This reassuring news follows reports that the county's year-round attractions have enjoyed an exceptionally good winter. The trend was announced at the February meeting of the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions (CATA). Member Michael Smith said that the winter months at the Minack Theatre were their best ever, with the exception of January, which was the second-best ever. And Gary Ealam reported a record winter at Porthcurno Museum of Submarine Telegraphy, with increasing numbers of local people as well as visitors.

CATA chairman, Newlyn's Nick Howell, said that the trend was "very encouraging" and he forecast that more CATA members would stay open next winter. Cornwall Tourist Board is constantly encouraging more attractions to continue trading during the winter, he added, and the accommodation sector were anxious to be kept informed. All but 400 of the quarter-million copies of the current CATA winter guide had now been distributed, Mr Howell said. "It is vital that Cornwall does all in its power to promote itself as a year-round destination" he continued. "Cornwall has so much to offer in the winter period and it needs to capitalise on the growing market for short breaks and second holidays."

The events of September 11 have caused the public to shy away from travelling abroad and to return to the traditional domestic resorts of the past. But the industry has been cautioned that the expected influx may be a one-off chance to impress visitors and to ensure future business. Malcolm Bell, the chief executive of South West Tourism, said: "In January last year we were looking quite optimistic and along came foot and mouth disease in the February. "A lot of marketing, the effects of September 11 and buoyant consumer spending have helped and the indications on bookings are good."

Much is being done to encourage tourism businesses across the county, including a tourism summit meeting, which was held in North Cornwall this week. The event was organised by North Cornwall District Council's tourism service. Said NCDC's tourism officer Steve Kessell: "We aim to promote North Cornwall as a quality tourist destination."

"It is important that the businesses we work for are able to access support, training and in many cases grants which are increasingly available. By bringing together all the major tourism support agencies under one roof we hope to make this as easy and clear as possible."

"A further reason for this event is to encourage all accommodation providers to join a national quality inspection scheme. By 2003 all hotels, holiday cottages and B&Bs promoted in our tourism brochure and in all the tourist information centres in North Cornwall will be graded so that visitors can book in the confidence that rooms and facilities meet nationally agreed standards."

Meanwhile, an ambitious five-year plan aimed at transforming South East Cornwall's tourist industry has been launched by Caradon District Council. The main aim is to bring together local tourism businesses and help them tap into vital grant funding that will help to make the region's tourism industry internationally competitive. A major conference on March 19 is the start of a long-term plan to develop green tourism, specialist holidays and an extended holiday season in the area.

Highlights of our March meeting

CHAPEL STREET: Mr Dell Gibbard and Mr John Gibbs spoke about existing problems in Chapel Street and what could be expected if the Regent Hotel obtained late licences. Members were urged to express their objection in writing. The Secretary had written to 14 Councillors and only four had replied - Councillors Furneaux, Nicholson, White and Ritchings.

GOLDEN JUBILEE: Sadly the Chamber's planned Easter Boat Show has had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest from required sponsors. 500 businesses had been approached. - The Secretary is currently assessing costs involved with the idea of installing gold light bulbs along the Promenade.

HOSPITAL TRUSTS: Andrew George has expressed his objection to the proposed changes regarding Health Authorities. - The Daily Telegraph have hinted that they will take the proposed closures of West Cornwall & Poltair Hospitals up as a cause if enough people write to them. - A lady has been going round town with a petition and informing people that signing this was as good as writing a letter. This is incorrect as any size petition is counted as one opinion and a single letter is also counted as one opinion. It is important that as many letters as possible are received, and we need everyone to write and object to any down grading of our hospitals. - Andrew George is bringing the matter up with the Minister of Health and PDC are sending a letter to every household The Friends of Penzance Promenade have a new website at www.stormpages.com/promenade.

The best kept secret in Penzance

"Visit the best kept secret in Penzance for fine food, fine wine and good company." That's the advice of the new chef at the Tarbert Hotel in Clarence Street, which is also, unbeknown to many since it is not on the main strip, one of the town's finest restaurants.

Andrew Whitfield comes to Penzance having previously served as a chef for the largest UK catering company Sodexho. Prior to that he ran a bistro in London that was commended by Time Out magazine. Andrew started at the Tarbert Restaurant in time for their annual re-opening last month. One of Andrew's interests inrelocating to a Penzance restaurant was because of the availability of fresh local fish - one of his speciality dishes alongside vegetarian cuisine.

Included in the sumptuous menu at the Tarbert are a range of fish, such as brill, John Dory, turbot and red mullet. The restaurant also features local produce such as Cornish lamb and game, and for vegetarians there is a delicious choice including mushroom stroganoff and sweet potato and parsnip fritters.

Andrew's arrival is not the only great news for the Tarbert Hotel, who are also celebrating the start of the season as winners of the Successful Housekeeping Award. The prize is from a national competition run by the RAC for hotel cleanliness, and the cleaning staff - Val, Sarah and Pam - were delighted to receive it, as was hotel proprietor Jeff Maddern.

"A lot of accolades go to chefs," said Jeff, "but rarely to the unseen heroes without who a restaurant or hotel wouldn't function. We greatly value our team of staff who work very hard."

The restaurant is open daily, and tables may be reserved by telephoning 01736 363758 or by emailing reception@tarbert-hotel.co.uk. It is also available for buffets and parties.

Further details may be found at the hotel's website: www.tarbert-hotel.co.uk.

Chamber AGM and new officers

Penzance Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting at the Queen's Hotel last month, which saw the re-election of Mike Waters to the office of Chairman by a unanimous vote.

In his annual report, Mr Waters spoke of a successful year for the Chamber, which has seen an increase in membership and the laying of important foundations for future growth.

Mr Waters has been a tireless promoter of local business and community interests during his two years in office: as a long-term member of the Steering Group for the regeneration of Penzance and the harbour, as a determined voice in the fight to preserve West Cornwall Hospital, and as a founder of the West Cornwall Group of Chambers of Commerce that has facilitated our presence on the Partnership Board of the Penwith Integrated Area Planning Group and the Cornwall Business Partnership.

In addition to running his health and safety business, Safety UK, 12 hours a day, our Chairman spends on average 8 hours a week on Chamber business and at various meetings. Accordingly I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank him on behalf of the Chamber membership for his excellent work.

Chamber Officers: The following persons were also elected to office at the AGM …

Our secretary remains Yvonne Neale, who was especially thanked by Mr Waters for her long-term commitment to the Chamber, her sterling work and her steadfast support.

On the Chamber council are Sally Bodinar, Jan Garrison, Richard Hilder, Dennis Kemp, Rose-Marie King, John Murrish, Sue Parkyn, Rosemary Wooldridge and Martin Thrumble.

Brown pledges business tax cuts

Gordon Brown has promised tax cuts for business in his coming Budget, just as the International Monetary Fund is advising him to put VAT on food. Meanwhile, the unions' are furious that the Government is reneging on pledges to improve workers' rights, saying that the move focuses too much on employers, but does little to help employees.

The unions' response has overshadowed the government's attempts to sell reform ideas for public sector workers. "I want every young person to hear about business enterprise in school, every teacher to be able to communicate the virtues of business, every community to value good business leaders as role models," he said last week.

The Chancellor also promises to reduce the corporate tax burden on small businesses and to build on measures to reduce the cost of starting a business. He tells those who criticise his priorities that encouraging wealth creation is "the essential driver of a higher standard of living and the surest long-term guarantee of better public services for all".

Mr Brown's words about the importance of entrepreneurs demonstrate his desire to maintain close links with business after recent controversies such as the Railtrack affair, and to emphasise his support for Public-Private Partnerships. Fund managers have told him that the Railtrack affair would make it harder for him to raise the finance, and unions signalled yesterday that any chance of them co-operating in PPPs had been undermined by the disclosure that ministers were trying to back out of promises on workers' rights.

While many in government have acknowledged that taxes may have to rise if Labour wants big increases in public spending, extending the scope of VAT is thought to be politically impossible. Instead, attention has focused on increases to the upper earnings limit on national insurance contributions or a freeze on personal income tax allowances.

Ministers are currently debating growing worries over the public service reform agenda and discussing how they can recover from a month of setbacks, including the Mittal affair and strife at Stephen Byers's Department for Transport, as well as considering priorities for the April 17 Budget and the three-year spending review.

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, April 2nd 2002 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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