RE-ESTABLISHING Penzance as an entrepreneurial and creative “jewel” in the local landscape is part of a revamped bid for major cash investment.
Penzance missed out on funding from the first round of the Portas Pilot scheme but has been given the chance to resubmit an application.
If successful this time around, the money could be used to help the town become a destination for business start-ups, artists and discerning visitors to Cornwall.
The Penzance Town Team’s updated Portas bid declares: “This bid has acted as the catalyst. All significant business stakeholders have embraced it and a consensus is emerging about the future evolution of Penzance town centre and a plan for achieving it.”
The application, which has now been resubmitted, incorporates the previous idea of creating a town centre market and an information hub telling people what’s on locally.
It also includes plans to launch a Penzance smartphone app listing local venues and attractions, sprucing up the look of the town and promoting the area’s message to a wider audience.
“The town centre is the beating heart of the community,” said Dick Cliffe, co-ordinator of the Town Team and chairman of the Penzance Chamber of Commerce.
“These things are all doable and we intend to pick them off as and when we can, but if we got some money from the Portas bid it could be done quicker.”
More than 370 applications vied for the chance to grab a share of the £1.2 million pot which was put up for the first round of funding.
Grant funding is now available for another 15 areas, with the Penzance Town Team sharpening their bid in an effort to success this time.
They will find out by the end of the month if they are to receive any money.
Local Government Minister Grant Shapps, praising the first dozen recipients of the Portas cash, said: “The best local high streets offer more than simply shopping: places to meet, work, relax and come together as a community.
“It’s why this competition to become a Portas Pilot has captured the imagination of the nation, with communities across the country uniting to support their high streets.
“Together these pilots can be the vanguard of a high street revolution, and others can look to their example to kick-start a renaissance of our town centres.”
Source: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Town-reapplies-Portas-cash/story-16483689-detail/story.html
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