Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Chamber January Meeting

The Chamber's January meeting was unfortunately cancelled due to a combination of the temporary closure for maintenance of the Queen's Hotel and the severe weather.

Because there was so much to be discussed, and in advance of next month's Chamber meeting, many of the items which were to have been reported then are summarised on this page.

Mike Waters, the Chairman, wants to hear from you. You can contact him through his business address at Safety UK, Knights Court, Causewayhead, Penzance TR18 2SP, telephone: 01736 361007 fax: 01736 367258 email: mike@safetyuk.co.uk

Market Developments Welcomed

As you may have read, and as further reported below, Penzance is to get two new market venues. The space for the markets has been released by Penwith District Council and will be managed by Raphael Griffin-Ravenscroft, who will also be developing the existing Ocean Blue premises into a restaurant and art gallery. Raphael is also actively involved in the proposals for the Jubilee Pool.

There has already been considerable interest from prospective stall-holders in the indoor market, some of which will be new businesses and others which have been attracted from further afield. The market should provide the opportunity for existing traders in the town to expand their operations at low cost, either to sell different products or to use the facility to clear old or out of date stock and so forth. Anyone interested in acquiring a stall should contact Raphael on 01736 332555 or 0785 526423.

It is appreciated that some may fear that a market so far from the town centre will detract people from the main shopping areas. However, research has shown that this is simply not the case. The venue will attract people from all over West Cornwall, including those who do not regularly come to Penzance. Rather than simply visiting the market and then going home, the majority will venture elsewhere in the town. The location will also greatly increase foot traffic up and down Chapel Street, which should be of benefit to traders there.

The Chairman has been working closely with Raphael and PDC on these projects and is sure that they will prove to be of positive benefit to local businesses.

Pool Plans make Progress

The Jubilee Pool is a key feature of Penzance, being the largest lido of its type in Europe, as well as being built on a historic site. It has also, however, long been a drain on the financial resources of Penwith District Council, figure show that last year it cost the council £16 for each person that used the facility. Raphael Griffin-Ravenscroft (who runs the poolside restaurant) and the Chamber's Chaiman were approached by the Chief Executive, Jim McKenna, to look at ways of generating more income from the pool.

A comprehensive discussion document has been warmly received by all parties and, at the moment, it looks as if the proposals will come to fruition. The pool will be signed over from PDC to a Board of Trustees who will run the facility. The exact composition of the Board has not yet been decided, but the Chairman has been invited to become a member.

The main thrust of the proposals is to maximise the use of the pool by introducing additional activities. The pool could become a completely safe environment in which absolute beginners, able-bodied and disabled alike, could learn sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, scuba diving and life-saving. Lessons would be provided at times when the pool is closed for general swimming each evening and at the weekend. It is also proposed to offer such facilities as a package, in conjunction with local hoteliers, to visitors. In addition the pool could be used for outdoor music events and could also be used as a venue for fetes and so forth.

Plans are also in place to re-paint the pool to make it more visually pleasing, we are hoping to attract sponsorship from a major paints company who may then use the pool in subsequent advertising campaigns, thereby raising the profile considerably. Other proposals include the possibility of murals around the pool depicting the old battery that used to be on the site, exhibitions and so forth. These proposals are all subject to confirmation but, at this stage, it is hoped that the Trustees will acquire the Jubilee Pool on 1st April.

Penwith Business Forum Update

From reading the minutes of our last meeting, as well as last month's news page, it will have been noted that we were not invited to the inaugural meeting of the Penwith Business Forum which was held on Wednesday 4th December, the day after our Chamber meeting. The Chairman campaigned vigorously for our inclusion and, as a result, was given 30 minutes notice that he could attend the meeting after all!

The meeting was also attended by the Penzance Hotels and Restaurants Association; West Cornwall Chamber of Commerce; Bolitho Estates; Evergreen; Elizabeth Stevenson and Nick Howell.

The main topic of discussion was what the format of the forum should be and the resultant value that participants required from it. It was agreed that it would primarily be of value as a means of improving communication between PDC and the business community in general, as well as helping to formulate economic plans for the District. The Chairman subsequently exchanged correspondence with Jim McKenna on this subject, and others, and had a meeting with him on 2nd January. As a result of the meeting it was agreed that this Chamber would be involved in future meetings of the Business Forum.

Slowing Down the Speed Bumps

More on the controversy over the plans of Cornwall County Council to introduce speed bumps into the town, along with 20 mph speed limits in various parts. At a meeting with Penzance District Council Chief Executive Jim McKenna, the Chairman expressed our concern that these may deter people from coming into Penzance and hamper disabled parking; deliveries and so forth.

He agreed that if the County Council had the funds available to undertake such works (estimates for each 'hump' are in the region of £6-8 thousand) then the money would be better spent on improving roads and traffic flow elsewhere in the town. Mr McKenna will be writing formally to Cornwall County Council expressing our joint view on the subject.

Hopes Alive for Harbour Development

After a lot of work over the last couple of years, it has had to be conceded that the desire to enhance the harbour in accordance with the W S Atkins report, including the construction of a breakwater and marina, cannot attract sufficient funds through Objective One to make it a reality. This has come as a considerable blow to all members of the Steering Group and, no doubt, to the public at large once it becomes public knowledge.

All is not lost however; we have redesigned the plan for the Lighthouse Pier that will reduce the requisite funding to something in the order of £6 million which is much more feasibly obtainable. The plan will double the width of the existing pier and provide vehicular access for the Scillonian berth that will greatly improve the flow of traffic and pedestrians in this heavily congested area.

In addition PDC have been holding discussions with potential developers for several areas within Penzance and it is anticipated that a formal announcement of the outcome of these talks will be made in March.

Appeal for Businesses to go into Space

Penzance is to get not one but two (and possibly three) new markets thanks to the drive of a local businessman and his enthusiastic young team. Raphael Griffin-Ravenscroft with Rebecca Farrington, Louis Read, Ben Jago and Bill Farrington, are to develop a new focal point for the town around the St Anthony Gardens area, incorporating a new market, gallery and eaterie called "Space" in the old Vosper's (latterly Ocean Blue Chandlery) building, a regular market at the top of Causewayhead and perhaps occasional small markets around the Jubilee pool.

The group is appealing through the Chamber of Commerce for local businesses to contribute their ideas and feedback as well as for more stall holders to support the market. Should the main market be full time or just two or three days a week? Should there be a different kinds of market each day? The market idea is sufficiently flexible to be operational on whichever days there are enough stalls although current plans foresee a Saturday general market, a Sunday antiques market and special markets on holidays.

Space will provide a covered market for around 30 stalls in a warm, inviting environment with about 25 stalls in an open air market on the same highly visible site next to St Anthony's Gardens. The main building itself will become a new gallery, gathering and gastronomic focal point for the town and district. So there will be "Gallery Space" and "Market Space" within the same site. Within strolling distance are the group's other ventures - Passion at the Arts Club and the Passion at the Poolside restaurant at the Jubilee Pool. The market and Gallery at Space will become the centre of gravity for all these activities.

"This will be a cool place for people to shop, look over fine art, have a bite, a drink and to sit and chat with friends," says Raphael. "All this in a relaxed and amenable atmosphere that appeals to the young of all ages," he quips.

The venture has become possible thanks to the support of Penwith District Council which owns the site. In return, the group is not only developing markets for Penzance but also proposes taking on the management of that other all-important south town landmark, the Jubilee Pool. "Aqua Space" could become the extension of the brand into the poolside areas.

Events will be the essence of Space. As well as high-profile exhibitions in the gallery, there will be concerts and other entertainments throughout the season. These will serve to draw many visitors into the centre of Penzance who might otherwise be lost to outlying areas as well as providing locals with a valued amenity. Raphael hopes to use his contacts in the music industry (he provided the iconic sax solo on Gerry Rafferty's 1978 single "Baker Street") to bring some well-known performers into the town. The gallery will provide some of the best large-work exhibition space in the region. It will stage its own exhibitions as well as providing overspill space for exhibitions at other established galleries.

The clock is ticking on the project. The group took possession of the site at the turn of the year and are in the process of driving the development. It's hoped that the first markets will be held during February and that the gallery and restaurant will open in time for the Easter season. From the Chamber of Commerce standpoint this new and exciting use of the former Vospers garage site offers a great opportunity. Combined with the new market at the top of Causewayhead, we'll be able, for the first time in years, to describe Penzance as a market town without any sense of irony!

Raphael and the team are keen to hear from anyone one with input and especially from traders who would like to get involved. You can call them on Penzance 332555.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held on Tuesday 4th February at 7.30pm in the Queens Hotel and will be preceded by our normal monthly meeting. This is a departure from our normal practice and allows us to combine two separate meetings into one evening - we know how busy our members are.

Mike Waters had given notice that he would not be seeking re-election to the post of Chairman this year, as I have already served as such for 3 years. However, after pressure from several members he has been persuaded to reconsider and will stand after all. Looking further ahead, we have invited Jim McKenna to speak at our meeting on the 4th March and partake in a question and answer session.

If anyone has a specific issue that they would like to raise would they please inform me in writing so that Jim has the opportunity to undertake any necessary research in advance of the meeting. This, of course, does not preclude other questions being asked. We hope to see as many of you as possible at each meeting.

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, in conjunction with the AGM (see above) on Tuesday, February 4th at 7.30pm at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance.

... an appeal from the Chairman

We now have around 200 members of the Chamber, it would be nice to see more than the hard core of ten or so at our monthly meetings! Since my Chairmanship began I have striven to ensure that the voice of the local business community is heard. We are now being consulted more and more by local and District council as well as local government departments, such as Cornwall Enterprise, and the media. While I do run my own business and feel I can comment on many related issues it I need to be made aware of the feelings of our members at all times. I am happy to talk to people as and when specific matters and our monthly meetings provide the perfect forum for such discussions. So come along, have your say and let's continue to put forward the case for business in Penzance.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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