Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Regeneration Meets Mixed Response

The latest Penzance regeneration proposals were met with a mixture of resignation and repudiation at the September meeting. There was both the feeling that the proposals were far from ideal and that, as the only offering on the table, opposing them would lead to the worst possible outcome of nothing being done to improve the town.

Most of the opposition was reserved for the twin proposals to build new retail space on part of the Harbour car park and to alleviate the resulting loss of parking capacity (and our recurrent traffic management nightmares) with a park-and-ride scheme between Long Rock and the town. Concern centred both on the experience of other park and ride schemes which appear to be being dismantled as quickly as they are being installed and the fact that new retail developments will shift the centre of gravity away from Market Jew Street and even further from the Greenmarket/Chapel Street end of the town.

On the first point, some members felt that Penzance still lacks enough compelling visitor attraction for families to tolerate the inconvenience of transferring from car to bus and back again. Many might turn away, others will risk driving in so negating any benefits and, if there is even less parking than now, exacerbate the problems. Others saw the new retail development both as a visual blight on the Mounts Bay aspect and a problem for those retailers unable or unwilling to relocate. Are there really enough new retailers just itching to set up shop in Penzance when a new build arises or will we simply be ensuring that those who can afford the new rents will move and those who cannot will disappear?

As a counter to these points it was noted that the current traffic chaos is as big a visitor disincentive as you are likely to see and that similar retail development objections were directed at the Wharfside when it was first mooted - and we now have come to see "our" centre as an essential and valuable part of the town's shopping landscape.

John Murrish presented his own counter proposal for a one-way system through the town and additional parking space. This could be carried out with the minimum of fuss and could help to alleviate many of the worst problems. It was agreed to adopt this proposal as the official Chamber position although chairman Mike Waters cautioned against moves that would discourage the involvement of Sutton Harbours whose proposal, while not perfect, was the most likely to result in lasting improvements to the town.

A subsequent meeting of the Harbour and Regeneration Steering Group (which Mike Waters also chairs) heard that the recent public consultation regarding the Sutton Harbours proposals went well and that 95% of those members of the public who attended were supportive. Over 100 people offered their own suggestions which will receive consideration and only 18 people recorded comments of objection. A sub-group of the committee has been established to look at the traffic management problems faced by Penzance. Their conclusions were to be put forward at a meeting with Cornwall County Council's Highways department hosted by the District Council on 15th September.

The much-awaited oceanographic survey should commence towards the end of October and is likely to last between 37 and 52 weeks. The interest shown in Penzance by Sutton Harbours plc is extremely well received by the Steering Group and the Council, having served to create a renewed impetus in the project.

The long-term development of Penzance is an issue in which we all have a stake. You should be at the next Chamber meeting if you want to make your voice heard. Remember that the committee and officers of the Chamber derive their authority from the membership and can claim more power in negotiations the more you become involved.

The Fourth Way?

Around the UK you kind find four words on public building and monuments of all kinds that might hint at a fourth way for Penzance to realise its regeneration ambitions. Although this approach has its roots in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it could possibly be ideal for the twenty-first. The well-tried approaches are now in some disrepute. Local or national government money is a non-starter because increasing taxation is electoral suicide. Private initiatives are greeted with (often justifiable) cynicism regarding the openly less than altruistic motives of commercial concerns who seek to support a share price rather than the communities in which they build. And as for the much-mooted "third way" of public/private partnerships, here the taint of sleaze, the odour of backhanders and the organisational incompetence of anything so unwieldy has become apparent from Westminster to town halls across the land.

Which brings us back to the fourth way and those four words: "Erected by Public Subscription".

All this means is that the money to carry out public works is raised by and from local people. Imagine the scenario: the people who know what needs to be done (us) raise the money and spend it on just what is needed. There is no profit motive, other than the benefits of clear improvements to our environment. No lumbering bureaucracy or pressures to divert the money to other budgets. A clear set of objectives met by a simple, dedicated fundraising effort. The work would be carried out by local contractors, the jobs created would keep the generated wealth within the community, the plans designed with due regard for the character of the town.

All that would be needed is for an agreement to be reached by interested bodies and for a select band of enthusiastic people to come together and take strides. Things get done this way across the world - local people generating their own destinies. Is there anyone in Penzance willing to take on such a challenge?

Charity Begins Away From Home

The September Chamber meeting opened with a brief, informal talk from Charles Amory, fundraiser on behalf of the charity CHICKS - Country Holidays for Inner City Kids.

In an interesting and informative address, Mr Amory explained how the charity was engaged in offering children from less than ideal backgrounds an outlet for their energy reserves as well as some exposure to an environment rather more enjoyable and much more life affirming than that they inhabit for most of the time.

Children are given week-long, supervised activity holidays at one of the charity's two centres - the first in Devon and the latest near Par in Cornwall. Groups of sixteen children attend the centres on each course. Ages range from eight to sixteen.

The work of CHICKS is not, in spite of the name, restricted to supporting youngsters from the major up-country conurbations. Last year, 315 of the 682 children catered for were drawn from Devon and Cornwall. "Not every child in Devon or Cornwall lives in an idyllic cottage," Mr Amory reminded the meeting. Among these was a pair of siblings who, as a result of parental neglect, had never before visited a beach - despite having lived their entire lives in Falmouth. This was remedied on their CHICKS holiday.

Cynics might ask whether a single week can make that much difference to a child's development. In reply, it should be borne in mind that the principal cause of later problems among deprived children is not the emotional poverty of their upbringing but the overriding sense of hopelessness that goes with it. Exposure to a world of fun, excitement and caring in a totally different environment can show a troubled child that there is a side to the world that is not brutal and hard, that they have a loving and caring place in the world. Among the charity's success stories are two former visitors who have subsequently become volunteer helpers at the centre after gaining their A levels.

This worthwhile work is expensive to maintain. Each child place costs £254 for the week and each course, therefore, more than £4,000. So it is that fundraising is a constant effort and Mr Amory wished to reach out to the membership of the Chamber for support - financial, promotional and also for volunteers.

You can find out more about the work of CHICKS on the charity's website: www.chicks.org.uk or by writing to CHICKS, Woodside Retreat, Dunterton, Milton Abbot, Devon PL19 0QJ or telephone 01822 870692.

Coach Boycott Threat

The challenges of finding a suitable spot for visiting coaches to disembark their passengers has taken an ominous turn with reports that a number of disgruntled drivers have publicly uttered the word "boycott". At this time of year particularly, as the summer influx of families with cars begins to give way to many older visitors and coach parties, any decision by coach drivers to give Penzance a miss would seriously threaten the continuation of the season and much local prosperity.

Whether these mutterings become a reality will depend on concern among the drivers becoming an organised boycott but one thing is clear: with more than 1000 visitors per day arriving by coach at peak times (and with the number of coaches already down by half on two years ago) this is a market our town cannot afford to lose. The Chamber urges action on the part of the local authority and transport concerns to find a speedy and effective resolution to what has become a near critical situation.

Don't Shrug - Complain

In what is both a pat on the back for our often beleaguered local authorities and an appeal for action the Chamber would like to point out that a call to the relevant authority often works much better than you might think. Indeed, it is always more likely to get a result than merely having a whinge to your neighbours about the state of the streets/lighting/services in your area.

The issue came to light with the comment that a broken grille (which had caused a trip) on Causewayhead was fixed the same day as a complaint was made to the County Council. We tend not to hear about the countless similar success stories for the public works departments but we hear endless stories about things that "have been like that for months".

The authorities can only fix problems they know about so make them aware before you resort to shrugs and gossip. County Hall (for highways, lighting and the County responsibilities) are on 01872 322000 and Penwith District Council (for refuse collection and local amenities) can be reached on Penzance 362341.

Moonshine Framers The Picture of Health

For more than ten years now, the artistic community of the district, many visitors and the casual home decorator have been coming to Suzi and Kevin Parkyn's Moonshine Framers and Gallery. All that has changed has been the location - they've now settled in their new premises at Number One High Street, Penzance where, as ever, Suzi is the public face of the business, working in the shop while husband Kevin stays behind the scenes in the workshop.

As customers have come to expect from Moonshine, they will find a range of high quality frames and mounts made to order in all kinds of styles and for all kinds of materials at very reasonable prices. Also continuing is the firm's highly popular and locally unique one-hour framing service.

This service (subject to a small surcharge) is both a selling point for the business and a draw for additional work. It necessitates holding materials for more than 400 different styles in stock but its popularity ensures it remains an integral part of the business. Moonshine's philosophy is easily expressed by Kevin who says "We turn people's pictures into something they enjoy having and keeping. What's great about this business is the reception our work gets because people come to us for something they want and rather than just something they need.

At 15,000 frames per year, Kevin reports that the business is operating at close to capacity but there are no ambitious plans for expansion. "We won't be opening more shops. We've been down that route and it's just not us" he explains. Instead, they prefer to continue doing what they do well and at a healthy business level, rather than stake all on a gamble. There is however a diversification in the pipeline, in the form of a range of limited edition prints from local artists.

Efficient use is made of what might otherwise be waste material. Off-cuts and remnants of moulding are used to produce a highly popular (and competitively priced) range of ready made frames and mounts.

The standard of work is codified by the strict quality and craft standards of the Fine Art Trade Guild of which Moonshine is a member. Yet perhaps more significant than this is the manifest pride that Kevin and Sue take in the quality of their work. Both are very aware that, operating in a region so synonymous with high artistic standards, only the very best craftsmanship will suffice in its support. So it is that Moonshine is the choice of many "household name" local artists including members of the Royal Academy and Royal Society of Arts.

If your image of craftsmanship is of people working in dusty garrets with antique tools you should think again. Kevin is very keen on having the very best modern equipment and operating a working system as efficient as any production line. Moonshine's precision glass-cutter is perhaps the most modern in Cornwall and is another reason their work is so sought after. Customers travel from as far as Plymouth - "passing lots of framers in other towns on the way" Kevin points out. Plus many regular visitors to the area save up their framing needs for their visit to Penwith, dropping off the work at the start of their stay and collecting it, framed and finished, as they leave. For those who prefer to have things delivered, a special arrangement with Amtrak permits Moonshine to despatch even glass-mounted items to all parts of the country.

Not that the appeal is limited to national: Moonshine is shortly to be featured in the American "Art and Frame" magazine following an enquiry via their website (www.frames.uk.com).

Moonshine's success is all the more remarkable when you consider that Suzi and Kevin only found themselves in the framing business almost by accident. It began when Kevin decided to give up working in the offshore oil industry and find work closer to home. "We started a printing business," he explains, " and then began framing as a sideline to that!" It wasn't long afterwards that framing took over as the most successful side of the operation and the printing presses could be set aside.

Today's Moonshine offers not just framing but prints and photographs (by some of the best known local photographic artists) and, thanks to the services of Warren Fisher, a full picture repair and restoration service. A framed picture is a perfect gift and a small deposit will secure any item for Christmas, they report. Moonshine Framers and Gallery is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday at 1 High Street Penzance, tel: 01736 330887, e-mail: info@frames.uk.com, web: www.frames.uk.com

Where Were You?

It would be good to report that the resumption of Chamber meetings after a one-month summer recess was marked by renewed vigour and lively debate. It is true to say that those members present all contributed and that a variety of views were put forward forcefully and with no little passion. The problem was with the empty chairs.

Particularly when a guest speaker had travelled the length of Cornwall and much of Devon to be with us, especially when there had been no meeting the month before, the turnout was disappointing. It is hard to believe that with a membership of touching two hundred, we cannot attract at least ten percent of that figure to each and every meeting. It is nigh impossible to imagine that doing business in the district has become so easy that you don't need to be at the meeting to help shape the future of local commerce.

Remember, it's your Chamber. You don't even need to be a member - just interested in the commercial and enterprise life of Penzance and its environs - to attend. The next meeting is at Penzance and Newlyn Rugby Club on Tuesday 7th October at 7.30 pm. Can we make it a record turnout (at the top end) please?

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, October 7th at 7.30pm at the Pirates Rugby Club, Alexandra Road, Penzance.

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