Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Today's Chamber of Commerce

This month there has been no meeting of the Chamber of Commerce so we are taking the opportunity to celebrate the Chamber's centenary with a look back, a look at the future and, first of all, a look at the role of the chamber today.

So the Penzance Chamber of Commerce is 100 years old. How is an organisation founded in a world so utterly different from our own relevant to a 21st century business?

In 2003, the Penzance Chamber of Commerce continues to campaign on issues of interest to business and business people. Our chairman, secretary and volunteers write reams of letters, attend hours of meetings and speak up until nearly hoarse on matters too divers to enumerate here. Their authority and that of the Chamber itself depends entirely on the participation of its membership. We can claim to speak for business only because so many local businesses are part of our structure. We can do more if more and more members become active. The shape of the Chamber's activities in all its forms is dictated by you - in other words, history belongs to those who turn up!

If you run a business in Penzance or the district, or you have an interest in the business life of the region, you should join us. All members should come to the meetings on the first Tuesday in each month, augmenting the hard core of a dozen or so members who currently contribute. Even if you're not a member but feel you could contribute to the meeting, you would be most welcome.

Can we stay relevant? Of course! But in this as in all things we depend on participation, debate and action. We speak for you. The paradox is that if you lend us your voice you gain our collective strength. Business today is simultaneously exciting and bewildering. The Chamber helps members cut red tape, decipher government "initiatives", and make practical steps in the right direction.

Within the membership there is a vast scope of experience and knowledge of running a business within this region. If you want to know how to tackle the very special challenges we face in this area, open up new markets or simply want to learn some new business wrinkles, you'll find somebody among our 200 members who'll gladly share their knowledge. We want you to add your expertise to the mix.

There has never been a more compelling reason to be an active member, never a more pressing time to make the effort. Whether you want to network to other members, seek out collaboration or simply register a pet issue with a campaigning body ours is the forum for those that care about business in the district. Take part. Our next meeting is at The Pirates Rugby Club on Tuesday September 3rd at 7.30 pm. Come along and help write the next 100 years of history.

Once Upon a Time in the West…

History is not a series of events: it is a continuous flow, like a river through time. The lives of individuals, families and companies overlap to provide continuity. Any discussion of the business life of a century ago can only be a snapshot of a moment in time. If we compare this imaginary photograph with one of our own commercial landscape we will see both great change and some things which appear immutable while shifting much more slowly, like the course of the river itself.

It is perhaps true that the transition of the turn of that century was marked by more optimism than the recent millennial milestone. The 19th century had seen a relentless march of progress, a marked improvement in the every-day lives of most people and a deep seated feeling that the world might become a Utopia of peace and plenty. The carnage of 1914-18, global conflict of 1939-45, Cold War and terrorist outrages could not be imagined. So it was that in those early years of the last century, businesses, tradesmen and -women and all manner of commercial enterprises must have anticipated a golden age of prosperity.

The planet seemed larger than it does today although the developments which would see it shrink had made their tentative presence felt. Indeed our district played a crucial role through the cables of Porthcurno and Marconi's masts across the bay. We can only imagine the excitement such technology must have instilled in the entrepreneurs who, with the names of Bell, Marconi, the Americans Edison and the brothers Wright ringing in their ears came together in a spirit of mutual benefit to form the fledgling Chamber. Today's talk of global villages and opening world markets owes as much to them as it does to Bill Gates and Tim Berners-Lee because without their foresight none of what was to follow would have come to be. As Isaac Newton once put it "If I have seen farther, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants."

The local business pattern in 1903 would have been at once familiar and alien to us. There was tourism, to be sure, although this was, for the most part, of a much more genteel variety. The mass tourism of today would be more than half a century away along with mass car ownership and greatly improved standards of family wealth and leisure expectations for most people. Mining and fishing were still the key elements in Penwith's economy although it is utterly fallacious to suggest that these were ever easy sources of wealth. Both were as fickle as a cold ocean current or an icy blast through the commodity trading floors where finely dressed city gentlemen still passed papers under the noses of their peers with a cry of "I buy!" or "I sell!" As in all Cornish history, the boom times had been short and difficult to sustain.

As today, as ever in our "nation of shopkeepers" the small business was the engine of the local and national economy, providing most of the employment and most of the means of exchange. A visitor from 1903 would recognise a shop today as a shop, albeit wondering why the high streets in every town were so similar and why most people chose to make their purchases from warehouses on the fringes.

Most of all, he or she would recognise the desire of those engaged in local trade to have a hand in their own destiny, a voice in the corridors of power. They might not recognise the badge of the chamber of commerce, representing as it does the later coming together of parishes, but they would recognise their chamber, its aims and its work. Those of us who work in furtherance of those ideals today hope that they would be pleased with our efforts.

Meeting Report - August 2103

Hoverjet Parking in Crisis, Warns Chamber!

In lively exchanges at the Chamber of Commerce virtual meeting, August 2103, the chairperson was forced to switch off the holographic link to some members, incandescent with rage at the latest rises in hoverjet parking tariffs in the town. At €305 per hour, Penzance's parking charges are now the third highest in Cornwall. "We're driving families out of our town," commented one member.

The problem has been exacerbated by the decision to create a different executive agency of the regional assembly for each individual parking place. The move, which had been intended to improve competition, has increased administration costs for each of the 2431 parking administration companies.

Still on the transport theme, Members noted with dismay that "Improvements" to the personal vehicular expressway network in the Thames Pipeline Corridor area were leading to delays for visitors this summer. "One guest told me that it took almost forty minutes for them to get here from London," said one local hotelier. "Honestly! The could have taken the hyperway to Florida in less time!" The chairperson promised to register a strong thought of complaint to the Department of Transport and Staying Put, as soon as his mindlink was repaired.

A brief address from Hector Simpson, the ninth generation of the popular apparel retailer contained a suggestion described as "so crazy it might just be a stroke of genius". His idea: rather than collecting detailed and complex data on a customer's buying habits and movements through the real and virtual shopping emporia and processing this with advanced bio-computing algorithms, retailers should try talking to customers, getting to know them and asking them what they want! It could be science fiction - or perhaps tomorrow's reality. Only time will tell.

With some disappointment it was learned from the Met Office that owing to an anomaly in our part of the National Weather Control Grid and, in the words of one official, our "being a long way away" Penzance's weather will be switched off altogether in September. The secretary is to write requesting a clarification of when we can expect the supply to resume.

News that a second fish had been caught at Newlyn this month was greeted as a positive sign although it is perhaps too early to begin predicting, as some have, that stocks might return to commercially viable levels. It is also unclear whether the toxicity of this specimen was within the scale of safe human consumption. David Treneere, 36, who caught and ate the fish, will be assessed by medics when he stops glowing in the dark.

The prosperity that the town has enjoyed since it was discovered in 2063 that only Cornish tin is suitable to power anti-gravity devices is under threat from synthetic foreign imports, the meeting heard. The Chamber resolves to monitor the situation closely and make necessary representations.

The latest draft plan for the town and harbour regeneration scheme will be available soon. "We look forward to commenting on it," said the chairperson, before closing the meeting and retiring to the bar with the six members physically present to toast the health of the nineteen logged on from elsewhere.

Brian Spiegelhalter

It is poignant to reflect that just as the Chamber came to celebrate its centenary one of its best loved and respected long-term members was lost to us. Brian Spiegelhalter's life was marked by unstinting service to the town, the business community and the district overall. His many contributions to the Chamber, in a variety of roles, including as Chairman, were marked by the same combination of intelligence and good humour that all those who knew him would recognise.

As Chamber secretary Yvonne Neale put it "However difficult things or people became, Brian never had a cross word for anyone. I don't think I ever heard him complain."

Brian's attitude was always of the "if something needs fixing, get it done" variety. Among his many lasting legacies to the town there could be no more fitting tribute than if more of us could seek to emulate this philosophy.

Simpsons - Cut From an Independent Cloth

It's been repeated to the point of cliché that "quality never goes out of fashion". In the experience of one of Penzance's oldest continuously trading retailers - and one of the Chamber's most long-standing members - this is one cliché with a solid foundation of truth.

The most accurate indication of Simpsons' precise date of establishment is a reference to "more than thirty years" from a booklet dated 1898. What is certain is that James SC Simpson first arrived in Penzance in the 1860's, initially to manage a shop on behalf of Clarke & Co of Bristol. Within a few years, he had acquired the lease and founded the Penzance retailing dynasty that still controls the business.

The present managing director, Andrew Simpson, and his fellow directors Wendy Mitchell, Shana Edmunds and his son Stuart Simpson are all direct descendants of JSC Simpson. Stuart and Shana's son Tom Edmunds, who also works in the business, represent the fifth generation of the family to do so.

Andrew has seen many changes since joining the firm in the 1960's - and not just in the fashions of the day, although he will admit "There is also much more casual wear sold today,". "When I started," he adds, "only men sold menswear. That relationship [between a man and his tailor] was sacrosanct." Today's men are, for the most part, rather more relaxed about who serves them but it is unfortunately rare to find a store like Simpsons that can still offer such individual attention.

That approach can be found at the Simpson stores in Falmouth and Truro as well as at the original Penzance location, making Simpsons an important Cornish employer as well as providing a local presence amid the sameness of our town- and cityscapes.

Retaining the firm's independence is very important and alliances such as the Association of Independent Stores, of which Simpsons is one of four Cornish members, including one other clothier and two furnishers, provide the kind of buying power that helps them compete in profitability terms. Its competitive sales appeal is differentiated by a commitment to quality and service that is, sadly, regarded as old fashioned in this day and age. Placing its appeal at the middle to upper level of the market and providing individual service is part of the proposition. Being able to provide a range of classic ladies and menswear selected from the best on offer (unlike those retail outlets that offer no choice) is another.

Some of the best-known names are represented on Simpsons' racks - from Barbour to Van Heusen, Daks, Gabacci and Magee. Although the firm's Victorian foundation was very much menswear only, there is evidence that Simpsons introduced its first ranges for ladies more than a hundred years ago. Age distinctions in clothing taste have rather broken down in recent years although Andrew will, if pressed, place the firm's principal appeal among the 30-plus group: people with enough experience and the wherewithal to appreciate quality while not being seduced by "designer" labels.

Andrew Simpson believes that the firm's individuality is often better appreciated by visitors than the indigenous population. "Local people see us as always being here. Visitors appreciate the presence of a specialist local retailer. Especially people who have holiday homes in the area." Some of these visitors take the opportunity of a visit to the district to entirely replenish their wardrobe at Simpsons. Others may buy only an item or two but all seem delighted to find a thriving independent retailer rather than yet another high-street indistinguishable from that of their home town.

Asked for the key characteristics that have allowed Simpsons to survive and thrive for a century and a half, Andrew Simpson cites "Being adaptable and flexible. We steer the route we need to steer, move in the directions we need to." It's an approach that both feeds and feeds on the firm's fiercely guarded independence. Andrew regards the AIS as an important safeguard of that, but perhaps the most important is the Simpson family itself. In historic terms, here is the continuity through the ages that defines the flow of time, changing but retaining an essence of character.

Simpsons' Penzance store is at 36 Market Place - Tel: 01736-362950.

From the Minutes of earlier Meetings

From The Minutes - 6th July 1936: Members were told that the Daily Mail was unable to provide the full list of weather reports every day but would include Penzance "when possible - A bone of contention with another national organ even to this day (don't tell David Andrewartha!)

From the Minutes - 21st March 1938: Earlier Closure of shops Saturday Evenings - Woolworths advised, to general dismay that they would be closing their store at 8.30 pm rather than 9pm. One in the eye for all who thought long shop hours were a recent invention.

From the Minutes - 26th November 1938 - A special meeting was convened to consider "framing any advertising to the question of the serious lowering of the standard of the type of visitor with which the county was overrun in July, August and September". Apparently nobody suggested putting "No Riff Raff" in the headline!

From the Minutes - 30th November/15th December 1944: The secretary offered a detailed report was written explaining why Chamber activities were suspended and/or not recorded during the Second World War and how it was to be reconstituted in the approaching peacetime, although any content of this is absent - can any long standing members cast any light on this mystery?

From the Minutes - 9th December 1948: Investigation was launched in possibility of putting up a welcome sign so that "visitors might know that they were entering a friendly town". And we all thought that our natural Penwithian charm would do that.

From the Minutes - 4th August 1950: the Question of the town's car parking problems led to the first ever suggestion that "the Northern end of the harbour be filled in and used as a car park". This, of course, became reality mere decades later!

From the Minutes - 30th July 1951: an approach was made to BEA (as then was) to consider the establishment of a helicopter service in the town. Another important amenity for the town for which the Chamber can claim to have been a significant initiator.

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.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd at 7.30pm at the Pirates Rugby Club, Alexandra Road, Penzance.

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