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Penwith

Penwith District

The District of Penwith contains a unique blend of natural and man made environments that is locally revered, nationally recognised and internationally acclaimed. With a population of approximately 60,000 it is a place of the most extraordinary individuality with a quality of life that is second to none. The District's unique physical character ranges from the dramatic landscape of the north coast and moors to the softer agricultural landscape of the south and east. The importance of much of Penwith's landscape is reflected by a myriad of statutory, national and local designations including extensive Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast.

The District has a rich cultural and historical background which is demonstrated by a wealth of galleries, museums and heritage centres. In addition a wide variety of sporting activities and entertainment facilities exist to accommodate all interests and tastes. Penwith also boasts high academic achievements of primary level and at all levels up to higher education. Each town has state schools which cater for pre-school age through to secondary school age and there is pre-secondary age provision in the rural areas and further pre-school facilities are being encouraged. Penwith College is situated in Penzance with open learning facilities in the other towns.

The three largest towns in Penwith are Penzance, which has a population of 11,340, St Ives 7,039 and Hayle 7,335. St Just is a smaller town with a population of 4,635. All four towns, as well as being centres of commerce serving there respective communities with an extensive range of goods and services, have industrial estates that accommodate a range of business including manufacturing, food processing, printing, engineering and storage/distribution activities. There are also several other estates of differing sizes throughout the District and a number of workshops in the more rural locations. In addition to the towns there a number of villages and hamlets which are all distinct in their character, services and facilities. Appropriate development can be accommodated at it is acknowledged that traditional rural activities, which are predominately land based, are declining and there is therefore, a need for alternative ways to stimulate and strengthen the rural economy.

The Council is actively promoting the regeneration of the District and major initiatives have been funded from a wide range of European and Government sources. These have been targeted at enhancing the environmental qualities of the towns and the provision of employment and training opportunities. Assistance has also given to a wide range of local organisations and the West Cornwall Enterprise Trust and the local Breadline project are examples of current training projects in Penzance.

There is a broad range of skills within the District. An analysis of those seeking employment, undertaken in January 1996, indicated that of the 2,196 people looking for work in excess of 400 were professionally qualified. There were also significant numbers seeking clerical employment and work in construction and personal services.

There is a continuing emphasis on developing local partnerships for regeneration within the District. Penzance is particularly well placed to benefit from regeneration which is focused on an improved image and environmental enhancement coupled with direct economic benefit. The town has already benefited from significant private sector investment and further schemes are expected to proceed in the near future. Similarly several initiatives are being pursued in St Ives and Hayle and in the latter there are significant opportunities for regeneration in and around the harbour area.

There is an active voluntary sector within the District which provides important services and support to local people. In addition community groups and the District Council have undertaken improvement schemes in Hayle, St Ives and St Just, Closed Circuit Television schemes for the town centres of St Ives, Hayle and Penzance and projects to publicise the town centres and there is a growing commitment to work with both the voluntary and community services and facilities within the District.

Towns in Penwith

Penzance

Penzance is one of the most important historic town centres in the Country with an ancient harbour and several buildings of architectural and historic importance. It is the dominant centre within the District and provides a very full range of services with a number of national multiples represented together with most building societies and main branches of leading banks. Traditional family businesses still survive in the town and provide a wealth of expertise plus high standards of services. There is an abundance of specialist gift shops in Penzance and varied assortment of eating and entertainment establishments. Recently, major developments within the town have commenced which will provide a range of high quality retail and accommodation units. There is scope for further development on existing brownfield sites.

St Ives

St Ives, which provides a range of services and shops, is an important centre in its own right. The town centre is made up of primarily small independent traders and much of the commercial activity is geared towards tourism. In addition, the town is a focus for craft and art related activity and has a variety of galleries and outlets in the town. St Ives plays a central role in the holiday industry of the District and in addition to a significant amount of accommodation, the town offers a wide choice of entertainment facilities and other attractions including the Tate Gallery, St Ives.

Hayle

Hayle has shopping centres at Foundry and Copperhouse which grew to accommodate the requirements of a community largely built on the mining and engineering industries of the past but now cater for the needs of the present local and visiting populations. There is a variety of shops and eating establishments within the town and a range of important services. There are also a number of self-catering accommodation units situated in the Hayle Towans area in close proximity to the town. Hayle has a rich industrial heritage and environment, both of which are providing the basis for some major developments within the town.

St Just

In addition to the main towns St Just is in an important position within the Lands End peninsula and provides a valuable service centre for the extreme western part of the District. A variety of retail outlets and eating establishments are located within the town as well as a range of services such as schools, a library and health care facilities.

All of the towns are unique in character and appearance. Most of the towns have Action Teams or Town Forums which act as a focus for regeneration. In addition, each town has developed its own festival as well as other activities which demonstrates the vitality and community spirit of the local population.

There are also a number of villages and hamlets which are all distinct in their character, services and facilities. Appropriate development can be accommodated as it is acknowledged that traditional rural activities' which are predominately land based, are declining and there is, therefore, a need for alternative ways to stimulate and strengthen the rural economy.

Penwith Transport Links

Although located in the far west of the Country, accessibility by road to the District has greatly improved and journey times have reduced significantly since the mid 1970s.

Penzance is the terminus of the main line railway from Paddington and direct services are available to all major destinations in the Country. These are provided by Great Western Trains, Cross Country Trains and Regional Wales and South West. Great Western Trains have indicated that they are committed to maintaining a through main line service from London to Penzance. Cross Country trains provide direct Inter City services linking with the Midlands, North of England and Scotland.

Penzance is also the main Express Coach terminus.

Charter services by air are available from Penzance Heliport and Land's End Aerodrome and visiting charter aircraft can be accommodated at both these facilities. In addition regular fixed wing services are available to Newquay with connections to Gatwick, Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol. Services are also provided to the Isles of Scilly from both the Aerodrome and the Heliport, which is located on the eastern approach to the town, and of course, the world is just a local phone call away via the internet.

Journey times and return fares to Penzance from a sample of major UK cities

(February 1996)

Notes: Rail times quoted are for typical Inter-City services Bus times allow for the feeder connections through Britain and multiple stops through Cornwall which both increase bus journey times significantly.

Source: Penzance is the Place - University for Cornwall Community Bid

Useful Contacts in Penwith

• West Cornwall Enterprise Trust Ltd
  Penwith Business Centre Long Rock Industrial Estate Penzance TR20 8HL Tel: 01736 352000 Fax: 01736 352222
• Penwith District Council
  Planning and Economic Development
  St Clare
  Penzance TR18 3QW
  Tel: 01736 331166
  Fax: 01736 336566
• Employment Service
  Penlowarth
  St Mary's Terrace
  Penzance TR18 4EB
  Tel: 01736 575000
  Fax: 01736 575033
• Inland Revenue
  Penlowarth
  St Mary's Terrace
  Penzance TR18 4EB
  Tel: 01736 335700
  Fax: 01736 335701
• Trading Standards
  Cornwall County Council
  County Hall
  Truro
  TR1 3AY
  Tel: 01872 322000
  Fax: 01872 270340

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