Friday 29 November 2013

Falmouth BID renewed for another 5 years



Following a ballot of businesses ending 28 Nov, the Falmouth BID has been renewed for a further 5 year term.  The  ballot turnout was  58%, with 87% of businesses voting in favour.  The vote in favour by rateable value was 86%.  When the BID first kicked off in 2009 the majority was 70%.  Falmouth BID has clearly been delivering what most local businesses want and the levy is seen as offering value for money.

The Penzance BID is under development with a public launch event expected on the 12 Feb 2014 followed by consultations with businesses, preparation of a BID prospectus (a 5 year programme of projects) and finally a ballot at the end of 2014.  

The Penzance BID is being managed by the Penzance BID Steering Group chaired by Marcus Wilkinson (Alfred Smiths). 


Thursday 28 November 2013

BBC Mini-documentary focusses on Penzance



Penzance business reps were put through a Dragon's Den style grilling by Bill Grimsey (of Grimsey Report fame) yesterday as part of a BBC mini-documentary for Inside Out.  The theme was Town Centres and the tone definitely dystopian.  The producer lapped up the The Ritz which was looking especially grim against a grey sky.

Penzance business community was represented by Marcus Wilkinson (Alfred Smiths), Dick Cliffe (Chamber Chairman), Emily Kavanaugh (Pure Nuff Stuff) and Kieth Bell (Travers Bell Architects).  The team established a good report with Bill Grimsey but one can only guess what will survive editing. The other towns in the documentary are Liskeard (Portas winner) and Totnes.

Penzance Promotional Flyer to be available tomorrow.



A flyer promoting what's on in Penzance is at the printers and will be distributed to retail outlets tomorrow (Friday).  A new website (smartphone compatible) has been created to bring together in one place events in Penzance.  The URL is www.pzpresents.info.


Wednesday 27 November 2013

Penzance Promotional Xmas Flyer under Development



Having secured free parking on Saturdays (all day) and Thursdays (from 4 pm) in the run up to Christmas, the business community need to promote it along with all of the various events going on in the Town.  Above is the logo.  We expect the flyer to be ready for printing by the end of Wed 27th Nov.  The print run will depend on how helpful supermarkets are prepared to be distributing them.   The flyer will be supported by a website with a similar domain name (site under construction).   More information to follow soon.





Friday 22 November 2013

Free Parking days agreed for Penzance Xmas Shoppers


Early application of Sainsbury's Section 106 funds to provide Free parking all day on Saturdays and on Thursday evenings in Penzance in the run up to Christmas has been agreed following an initiative by the Chamber, local Cornwall Councillors and Penzance Town Council.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Penzance Sainsburys Superstore opens.


Sainsburys Penzance (CGI image)

The Penzance Sainsburys superstore opened on Wednesday 13 November having been erected in little over 6 months.  The £30+ million investment in Penzance represents a vote of confidence by Sainsburys in Penzance's future as a retail centre.  The new store is the second largest in Cornwall after Truro.  The investment appears to have stimulated interest in Penzance from other stores as Edinburgh Wollen Mills has been advertising for staff to open a store in Penzance and Furniture World has opened up in the old Barn Club premises, adjacent to Tesco's. There have been enquiries from the The Range regarding premises in Long Rock.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Chamber Meeting for 13 Nov 2013 Cancelled

The Chamber meeting scheduled for Wednesday 13 Nov 2013 has been cancelled (no quorum). Apologies for the short notice.  The next scheduled meeting is on the Tue 3 Dec 2013. 



Monday 11 November 2013

Marine Discovery (Penzance) win 2013 Whale Watch Award in USA




 Photo: Hannah and Duncan with Dylan and Ian, the dynamic duo behind Planet Whale and all its associated offshoots.


This award included shortlisted businesses from round the world including Australia, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Portugal, the Azores and Italy. We are so delighted to win it.
 Congratulations to Duncan and Hannah of Marine Discovery, Penzance, for winning the 2013 Responsible Whale Watch Award at the International Whale Watch Conference at Cruiseport, Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.   The short list included operators Portugal, Australia, Ireland, Tonga, Italy and Madeira.

You can read more about the awards at planetwhale.com here and from the Marine Discovery Facebook site here. 
 


The Chamber Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 12 November has had to be rescheduled for a second time to the following day  - Wednesday 13 Nov  (5.45 pm at the The Wharfside Centre Conference Room - on the top floor near the 'Management Office').

As with all Chamber Committee meetings all members are welcome to attend if they wish to do so.  Prospective members are welcome to attend but should contact the Chairman for an invitation.

 You can download the agenda here.

Dick Cliffe
Chairman

Friday 1 November 2013

Chamber Committee Meeting postponed until 12 Nov 2013 (5.45 pm)



The Chamber Committee Meeting scheduled in error for Guy Fawkes Night has been postponed one week to Tuesday 12 November (5.45 pm,  The Wharfside Centre Conference Room).

As with all Chamber Committee meetings all members are welcome to attend if they wish to do so.  Prospective members are welcome to attend but should contact the Chairman for an invitation.

The agenda for the meeting will be posted shortly.

Dick Cliffe
Chairman

Businesses invited to opening of new Business Centre (Pz360).


Bill and Sue Radmore, of Mount’s Bay Trading Ltd, are formally opening the old HMRC tax office building reborn as Pz360, a modern business centre, on Thursday 7 Nov 2013 from 3 pm to 6 pm. 

Pop Up Penzance Crowdfunding Appeal!


Pop Up Penzance are seeking to raise £1800 to fund "Grandfather Frost’s Christmas Depot "in Peasgoods (Market Jew St Penzance) this Christmas.  They are using 'crowdfunding' to raise the money through www.crowdfunders.co.uk - a new Newquay-based online business (Crowdcube plc). 

The campaign is one of 20 fundraising campaigns launched today (1 Nov 2013) by crowdfunders.co.uk .  The campaign that raises the largest total on launch day (today 1 Nov 2013) will receive an additional package of support from Crowdfunders.  At 5.00 pm today Pop- Up Penzance was in the lead with £915 raised.