New workspace centres across Cornwall to support economic recovery and jobs
There will be three sites in Penzance, Liskeard and Hayle
Cornwall Council has announced £13m worth of building contracts for the three sites in Penzance, Liskeard and Hayle.
Officials say the three workspaces will generate much needed economic activity during their construction phase and open new job, work placement and training opportunities for the local workforce.
Ultimately, these new developments will play a key role in regenerating the town centres and boosting the local economy by enabling business growth, job creation and training opportunities.
Two of the developments will be supporting the fast-growing creative sector – already of huge importance to the economy of Cornwall.
About the workspaces
• The Penzance Creative Cluster will be a new 1,500m2 facility at Causewayhead which will provide up to 30 modern studios and workspaces for creative enterprises.
• At Liskeard Cattle Market, the new workspace development is part of the larger regeneration programme which will transform the town’s old cattle market site, which is partly derelict and under-used since the closure of the livestock market in 2017.
• The third scheme is a 1,800m2 extension to the Hayle Marine Renewables Business Park, building on the success of the first phase which completed in 2015 and has reached full occupancy.
“These new workspaces will bring business and jobs to three areas and this is crucial in terms of the challenges our towns are facing. This package of investment is a key part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Cornwall.
“The new workspaces will enable the creation of around 100 new jobs in sectors which are fast growing and at the core of Cornwall’s Local Industrial Strategy, ultimately increasing footfall to the town centres and supporting existing local businesses.”
Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Culture, Economy and Planning
Delivery of these transformational projects will be supported by an investment of £8.7m being sought from the European Regional Development Fund and £7.7m of match-funding from Cornwall Council, as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme.
“This is a positive step to support our creative industries and provide opportunities to make Penzance, and Cornwall in general, less dependent on the visitor economy. The design and the quality of the build of the Penzance Creative Cluster will make this a welcome development for our town.”
Cornwall Councillor for Penzance Central, Cornelius Olivier
“The timetable for the demolition of the old livestock market is now underway, supported by funding from the Government’s Growth Deal Fund. This next stage in the transformation of this important Liskeard town centre site is a boost for our local community and our economy.”
Sally Hawken, Cornwall Councillor for Liskeard East and Chair of the Liskeard Cattle Market Working Group
“The Hayle Marine Renewables Business Park was the first investment on the newly remodelled North Quay and set the benchmark for the major developments that have followed. Its success as a focus for development and employment in this area will continue with the extension and I thank the officers of Cornwall Council who have initiated and led this major boost for the town.”
John Pollard, Cornwall Councillor for Hayle North
Each workspace will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard and will minimise carbon emissions during both construction and operation.
Completion of the three new workspace schemes is expected in Summer 2022 and once operational, they are projected to add more than £3.7m annually to Cornwall’s economy.