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Chamber Monthly News - October 2003 |
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Some Grant Aid QuestionsA theme which is coming through from many members in recent time has been the restrictive nature of some grant aid schemes and the potential abuses that might arise from some of the bureaucracy associated with "free money". Why is it that so much of the grant aid directed at this region is predicated on supporting only a narrow band of business interests - especially the tourist and catering industry? Is West Cornwall being engineered by the "powers that be" into nothing more than a national playground? Is all other economic activity to be stifled, so long as we have first rate hotels and restaurants for visitors to enjoy? Even this obsession with tourism would not be so bad if it were not for the lack of reality in grant bodies. The reality is that almost every business in the Chamber membership is dependent to some extent on tourism for its turnover. However, in the view of the Regional Development Agency and others, even those providing a service to hotels - such as Nicky and Dennis Dowrick at The Laundry - are not tourism related, since they do not deal directly with visitors. Stimulating the economy of the region (which we must assume, on trust, to be the objective of these bodies) is not a matter of picking one business model. It is about stimulating ideas, enterprise and entrepreneurship across the gamut. We need those charged with distributing assistance to the business community to recognise this duty and scrap the restrictions. Instead, they should ask only this: does this business stand a good chance of making a beneficial and lasting contribution to the community? Which brings us round to an even more sinister aspect. It has been suggested that sometimes the distribution of grant aid "by the book" can lead to some significant anomalies. Can it really be better for a commercial landlord (as has been suggested recently) to force out his existing tenants so that he can garner funding to attract new start-ups? Surely those funding these grants need to take a careful look at how eligibility has been achieved. There are, deliberately, a great many questions in this
piece. The answers lie with those making the regulations. Are they,
we ask finally, prepared to think beyond the rule book? October Meeting ReportA heartening turn out of more than thirty members at the October meeting. Perhaps the nagging through this column is beginning to work, perhaps the darker evenings make the Rugby Club more attractive. Deliberations began with an address from Simon Ashmore of Let's do I.T. This Camborne-based operation has grant funding to distribute in the form of free training in the application of computer technology to business. This can take a number of forms, designed to match the needs and time availability of all kinds of managers and employees. There is on-line learning, CD-ROM-based courses and full time courses leading to the European Computer Driving Licence. Thanks to funding from the Regional Development Agency and European Social Fund, the free service is available only for certain kinds of business. These are those engaged in (can you guess?) Tourism and Leisure (of course!), Food and Drink, Environmental Technology, Marine and ICT-based businesses, Creative Industries (relevant to our area), Biotechnology and Aerospace (not so relevant) and finally business networks. Simon promised to report back as to whether this final category meant that the Chamber could act as a conduit for training. These restrictions led to some good-natured banter from the assembled members which (we hope) Simon (who could not be blamed) took in good spirit. One further point from Simon's presentation that resonated: "the only thing worse than training people and having them leave," he told the meeting, "is not training them and having them stay!" How true, we agreed. More heat was generated by a discussion on the latest round in the harbour development and regeneration proposals. A motion to oppose any development that would result in a loss of car-parking space in the town was set aside when a counter proposition (from Chairman Mike Waters) to await firm proposals before taking a position was carried. Traffic management remains the biggest bone of contention and opposing views and suggestions flew across the room. One way systems, park and ride, restricted time access, the issues of communicating restrictions to visitors all came to the fore. Fortunately nobody uttered the words "congestion charging" or the meeting might still be going on. As well as the turnout, the level of participation made
for a lively session. If you would like to participate next month, come
along. Bring your opinions and your best debating voice. The meeting
starts at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 4th November at The Pirates Rugby Club,
Westholme, Alexandra Road, Penzance. New MembersThe Chamber welcomed two new members at the October Meeting:
 Best of Cornish AnnouncedThe winners of the "Best of Cornish" competition, organised by the Wharfside Shopping Centre in conjunction with the Penzance Chamber of Commerce have been announced. Visitors to the Wharfside were asked to rate their Best of Cornish in a number of categories over the summer. Once the thousands of entries where collated and votes totalled the following picture was formed:
The prize draw was won by a Mr R Owen of Newlyn. Mr Owen
was due to receive his prize of £250 in Wharfside Gift Vouchers from
the Chamber Chairman Mike Waters at the Wharfside Offices yesterday
(15th October). Congratulations to him and to all those voted top of
their categories. Seniors - get some Life Skills!It would be patronising to those who've been around the longest to suggest that they need to learn skills for life (achieving a good old age is indication enough that they've been doing something right). The emphasis in the phrase "Senior Life Skills", however, is on recognising the fact that the skills required to enjoy the senior life to the full may be rather different in nature. The West Cornwall Community Safety Partnership is holding another Senior Life Skills exhibition at St John's Hall on Wednesday 22nd October from 10am to 4pm. As well as free refreshments and a free prize draw, there is a free energy-saving light bulb for the first 500 visitors and a variety of interactive demonstrations providing information and inspiration for those aged sixty and above. The event's organisers are also interested in hearing
from volunteers who could lend a hand with set-up and manning the event.
Anyone interested should call Suzi on 01736 336769. An Opportunity to HelpThe Chamber has received notification of a worthwhile scheme that we would like to pass on, through these pages, to members. Link Up Penwith is part of a nationwide initiative via the government Basic Skills Agency, through which anyone can learn how to help fellow community members develop reading and writing skills. The idea is to give ordinary people a skill set with which they can offer informed advice and support to people who are both daunted by form-filling and information sources and denied the sheer pleasure or reading. It's a radical approach to improving adult literacy and promises a more effective reach than formal training. After all, if you can offer a friend or colleague assistance, wouldn't you like to know how? Link Up offers a free, part-time course of twelve hours, split into two days or several sessions which could equip you to offer help to anyone you meet in the course of your everyday social or work life. The course is offered at sites across Penwith and is available to individuals, community groups and businesses. If you are interested in helping to tackle literacy problems
directly in your community you should contact Jay Chapman or Tess Dawe,
Link Up Penwith, Penwith Community Development Trust, Parade Street,
Penzance TR18 4BU, telephone 01736 332772 That Feeling of SuccessWhat is your definition of business success? For Gary Stuart, founder and director of Stuart's Hair and Beauty, it's not measurable in material terms. "Free time is my Ferrari," he says. An infatuation with the beautiful waters of our district brought Gary here from Bristol 25 years ago. Today he still lives within easy reach of Gwenvear beach, where he gave his first local haircut, operating from a trailer and tent! After seven years as resident hairdresser at the Queen's Hotel, the salon followed and has grown into one of the most highly regarded in the west. Underlying that success has been a philosophy that defines Gary's approach to personal and commercial life. "We don't sell haircuts or beauty treatments," he confides. "We sell a feeling. Customers leave here feeling great." Whether it is a new hairstyle, beauty treatments from facials to electrolysis or designer nails, the salon's activities are designed to achieve this aura of wellbeing through an holistic approach. Nothing is left to chance: the discovery of crossing leylines within the salon prompted urgent remedy. "One is a line of negative energy, and one of positive energy," Gary explains. "At the point where they cross we have set up an ioniser and some pink quartz crystals to dissipate negative energy." Stuart's was the first salon in an area from Dorset to the Scillies to pick up an "Investor in People" award, in 1996. Training and developing staff is a core part of the business focus and very close to Gary Stuart's heart. "Other salon owners often tell me that they can't recruit qualified people," he says. "I just ask them why they're not developing the people they have. All too often in our line of work people stay for a couple of years and are then moved out. We take a longer-term approach." Having developed a solid team of 22 people (and still recruiting - see this weeks Cornishman recruitment pages for details) allows Gary to step back from day to day involvement at the customer side of the salon to concentrate on running the business and coming up with ideas. There is to be no empire - no chain of salons dotted across the country. The focus is very much on making the Penzance operation as good as it can be while allowing Gary to find time to visit the beach with his daughters, Jade & Lauren, surfing and enjoying assorted water sports - enthusiasms that the girls share with their father. In order to maintain the salon's lead, Gary and the team enjoy researching the latest styles, treatments and ideas and bringing them to Penzance. On the weekend of 25th - 27th October several members of staff will be at the Salon International show in London, quizzing suppliers, attending demonstrations and exchanging notes with fellow professionals. Gary is obviously proud of the many firsts (many of them remaining unique) that his Salon has brought to the region. For example, Stuarts is also the only salon in the district offering natural hair extensions. Louise & Clare the specialists in this field, graft real human hair to provide thickness, colour or length to a style. The treatment lasts four to six months if properly maintained - which is part of the service. Part of the feel-good factor for clients is providing a range of complementary health treatments including reflexology, Reiki & Indian head massage (in which salon specialist Delphiris offers free taster sessions for customers on Friday mornings) and others. The sunbed, however, has been withdrawn following adverse reports on possible health risks - the salon does not take chances with its clients' wellbeing. Some of the latest developments will be seen at a fashion show the salon hopes to sponsor in February, raising funds for a local charity. Gary is happy to hear suggestions and is also seeking to recruit models - anyone interested should get in touch. Building a solid relationship with key suppliers is as important to the hair and beauty practitioner as to any business. Stuart's stocks such well-known brands as TiGi and Fudge for fashion products, KMS hair treatments and technical products (hair colours etc) from Goldwell. Stuart's has also been recently been awarded five-star status by the Good Salon Guide - an important promotional avenue for the business. Gary Stuart's obvious enthusiasm for the business mean that his free time pursuits are not so much an "escape" from work, more a positive achievement resulting from many years of clear focus, direction, talent and business acumen. Being able to enjoy life while making a contribution as a business and an employer is as valid a measure of commercial success as some of the traditional indices - perhaps more so. Stuart's Hair and Beauty is at 33 Market Jew Street, Penzance,
telephone: 01736 360622, website: www.stuartshb.co.uk
Join the ChamberThe 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 MeetingsThe next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday,
November 4th at 7.30pm at the Pirates Rugby Club, Alexandra Road, Penzance.
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