Penzance Harbour
The Chamber are adamant that the issue of Penzance Harbour is vital to the future economy of Penzance and that a resolution needs to be found as a matter of urgency. It needs to be borne in mind that the works needed on the South Pier are only the first stage in the regeneration of Penzance as a whole and it also links into other projects currently in the planning stages such as the Coinagehall Street development.
Getting the harbour right is absolutely key in the establishment of new sustainable employment for local people. Now is not the time for “points scoring”, now is the time to get the problems resolved and the project going forward quickly.
Heliport Closure
The Chamber has joined the Lands End Aerodrome Action Group and are endeavouring to seek a meeting with a member of the BIH management team to discuss the matter in greater detail. We are specifically concerned at the potential loss of employment in Penzance resulting from the move to Lands End airport as well as the detrimental effect on both tourism and the environment resulting from increased traffic on the small winding A30 from Penzance to St Just.
MCTi Economy Group
The Penzance and Area Market and Coastal Town Initiative recently formed an Economy Group to build upon the work that was put into the publication of “Penzance Futures” some time ago. The group is Chaired by Mike Waters who is also Chairman of the Chamber and members of the group have a wealth of experience both in business and also local government.
The aim of the group is to seek to identify projects which can be taken forward with the aim of creating new sustainable employment.
One great initiative that has already been highlighted is to develop a music festival in Penzance to extend the tourism season, thereby generating more revenue for the town, securing employment and so forth. The idea is to hold numerous musical events from different local groups in a variety of venues in Penzance under the festival name of “Penzance Proms”. A group has been formed to take this initiative forward and their first meeting will be on Thursday 1st October in Committee Room 4 of St John’s Hall. Anyone with an interest in working towards the establishment of such a festival is welcome at the meeting.
The next meeting of the MCTi Economy Group itself will be on Thursday 15th October in Committee Room 3 of St John’s Hall.
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)
The Chamber have become Affiliated Members of the Cornwall Chamber. As a result we are able to get the voices of business in the far West of Cornwall heard at County level and are also able to offer a number of CCCI benefits to our members.
The Cornwall Chamber has revamped its website which can be viewed at www.ccci.org.uk
Coastal Chambers and Coastal Regeneration
The Chamber had joined forces with others around the coastline of the UK , as well as other agencies, as many of us are having similar problems regarding high unemployment, lack of inward investment and so forth. The initiative is in response to the Government’s initial rejection of the recommendations of the Select Committee Inquiry into Coastal Towns. Despite the subsequent establishment of a Cross-departmental Working Group on Coastal Towns and an RDA ’s Coastal Best Practice Network, the narrow focus (employment/skills) of the two coastal groups re info rce the need for the Coastal Communities Alliance to articulate, lobby and seek solutions for the complex socio–economic problems existing in coastal areas. The group seeks to use the expertise and local knowledge of members which will be focused upon addressing multi-agency issues and brokering new local solutions for coastal problems.
A document entitled the “Coastal Regeneration Handbook” is currently being worked on and it is hoped to be published by the end of next month and will also be available on-line.
Penzance Railway Station
The Chamber welcomes the announcement that Network Rail is commencing a programme of improvements which will include the modernisation and renovation of Penzance Railway Station.
Support Local Business
Small independent businesses are the backbone of any town and make a positive contribution to the local community; where National retailers, restaurants etc are likely to close down if they are unprofitable (or off-set losses against premises in other areas) the majority of independents fight their way through adversity and do their utmost to stay open serving the local community.
Local independent businesses generally provide a higher standard of service to their customers as they take the view that unless they provide what their customers want they will go elsewhere, they also add to the vibrancy and diversity of the town. Without such independents every town would look the same when walking down the highstreet.
Supporting local independent business means that money you spend goes into the local economy and money the businesses spend stays in the local economy. With the rental value of premises ever increasing (some units within the town centre cost £75,000 per year to rent) it is vitally important that the local community supports the independent businesses. Put quite simply, use them or lose them!
Next time you come into Penzance to buy anything, you need a builder, or just want a cup of coffee why not give the small independents a chance. We need your support.
Monopoly
The Chamber has joined with other business organisation to challenge a potential monopoly of power being built up by high street banks over small firms seeking finance, two years after the credit crunch started.
Bank mergers, re-capitalisation and schemes targeted at the big banks to stimulate lending as a result of the banking crisis risk are stifling choices of finance for small firms leaving business owners with nowhere to turn if they are refused credit by the major high street lenders. With a quarter of small firms still struggling to access affordable finance, the Chamber believes the power of the financial sector should be challenged to guarantee a fair service for small firms.
Chamber Chairman Mike Waters said "As the second anniversary of the credit crunch ap proaches, it is important to consider the impact of the banking crisis and what it means for future relationships with small businesses to avoid getting into a similar situation. Small firms are still finding it tough to access affordable loans and overdrafts from banks. The Chamber would like to see more alternative sources of finance provided locally such as through the South West Regional Development Agency. This would increase the choice of finance on offer to business owners, thereby enhancing their prospects of survival and helping them play their part in stimulating the economy and getting the UK out of recession."
Spotlight on Business - Seasalt
With Autumn fast approaching, ethical Cornish clothing company Seasalt has launched its biggest collection of waterproofs to date. The range, including waterproof, showerproof and breathable jackets for women and men, is the feather in the cap for the company that first started in Penzance in 1981 as an outdoor clothing store. Now with 12 shops and over 250 stockists nationwide the company has seen significant growth, but the building blocks of those early days are still clearly important to the brand.
Head of Design Sue Simpson has been developing the range from the company’s design office in Falmouth . She says “Our outerwear is a really important part of the collection – we’ve worked really hard on this area and are very proud of it; the technical quality of our waterproof jackets is right up there with the biggest outerwear brands – so you can be sure you’ll stay dry – and of course you can’t get a better test site than living where we do!”
For Seasalt, who are now ranked top fashion company in the UK for ethical standards, and are the world’s biggest producer of Soil Association certified organic cotton clothing – the future looks very bright – whatever the weather! Seasalt waterproofs have just been launched in all their shops in Penzance, St Ives, Falmouth, Truro, Isles of Scilly, Padstow, Fowey, Totnes, Salcombe and Guernsey. For more information visit their website www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk
Vacancy
We have a vacancy for the position of Secretary to the Chamber. The role of the post is to attend each meeting, record the minutes and then produce them in a typed form which, after the approval of the Chairman, are distributed by email and post to members. In addition, the Secretary is responsible for maintaining the list of current members and distributing various letters and emails emanating from the Chairman as and when required. The postholder is also responsible for answering enquiries from both members of the public and businesses throughout the year.
The postholder should be computer literate and have good grammar and communications skills. A small remuneration is payable. For more information contact the Chairman.
Your Chamber needs you
Why join the Chamber of Commerce?
Membership of the Chamber has numerous positive benefits; firstly, and most importantly, you have the opportunity to make your voice heard on any issue that affects you and your business. We have an outstanding reputation amongst local government and other organisations with whom we liaise on a myriad of subjects and are, therefore, able to represent you extremely effectively. We have been able to solve several problems for our members, including planning issues, and continue to be consulted by the County, District and Town Councils regularly. Another very important reason for joining is the opportunity to network with other similar minded business people, thereby, realising that you are not alone and that we all have the same problems.
We don’t just get involved in purely business issues, as anyone reading this page will know; we also campaign for issues which affect the wider community such as the ongoing battle for West Cornwall Hospital. We have are also very actively involved in the regeneration programme for Penzance and the surrounding area with the objectives of securing employment and contributing to the financial growth of the district.
We are a non-political organisation and value our independence, we also value the fact that we are a totally democratic organisation representing the wishes of the majority in all issues – Cornwall Council take note, we are an example worth following!
In order for us to continue to campaign effectively for all local businesses we need your support. We need a strong membership base in order to enhance our standing as THE voice of local business. With the forthcoming demise of District Councils and the development of Cornwall Council as a Unitary Authority, there has never been a more opportune time for all businesses to come together in solidarity. Despite the clock ticking away for the Unitary Authority’s take over, firm plans have still yet to be forthcoming with the current Cornwall County Council dwelling upon spending our money on a logo that nobody wants and a newsletter which is a total shambles. How they expect to manage the County’s services let alone provide for local business is anyone’s guess…..including their own!
We have meetings on the first Tuesday of each month in the Penzance and Newlyn Rugby Football Club in Alexandra Road, commencing at 7.30pm, which you are most welcome to attend whether you become a member or not and whether you currently run a business or not. Chamber meetings are a useful forum for those who are interested in starting a business as well as for members of the public who are interested in local issues that have an impact upon us all. We look forward to meeting you.
All in all, membership provides a fantastic service and huge benefits, in return for a small membership fee and the option of attending the monthly meetings. If you would like a membership pack please contact the Secretary on 01736-762888. We welcome membership from businesses throughout Penwith, not just Penzance.
For further information, visit the Membership Enquiry or Membership Application pages on this site.
Chamber meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month; the next meeting will be on Tuesday 6th October in the Penzance and Newlyn Rugby Club, Alexandra Road, commencing at 7.30pm. No doubt there will be much to talk about so please make a date in your diary.
Our meetings are open to everyone whether involved in business or not and whether a member of the Chamber or not. We do not restrict ourselves to purely business issues as we believe that anything that affects the general public has a knock-on effect, we work for the prosperity and well being of the whole community.
The Chamber provides a great forum and a great opportunity for everyone to get involved in discussing how our businesses and lives are shaped in the future as well as bringing any issues to the attention of the Chamber which may need our support or involvement.
Secretary contact details
Everyone can now contact the Chamber as follows:
- By post - The Secretary, Penzance Chamber of Commerce, Sycamores, Relubbus Lane, St Hilary, TR20 9EG
- By email - penzancechamber@hotmail.co.uk
- By phone/fax - 01736-762888
1999 Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2000 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2001 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2002 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2003 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2004 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2005 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2006 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2007 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2008 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
| Sep | Oct | Nov
| Dec
2009 Jan | Feb
| Mar | Apr | May
| Jun | Jul | Aug
