LEP Growth Fund supports £2m Porthleven workspace project

A £2m project to create new workspace on the outskirts of Porthleven is underway having secured £700,000 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The project is being spearheaded by the Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company (PHDC) represents the first of two phases of work on the site, initially creating workspace for 40 jobs across three business units, helping to diversify Porthleven’s seasonal, tourism-led economy.

There will also be 40 public car parking spaces and a cycle hire scheme to reduce congestion in the picturesque harbourside town, which is very busy in the summer months.

The project is being supported by the LEP using £700,000 from the government’s Local Growth Fund, with a further £1,300,000 coming from the PHDC.

Planning permission has already been granted on a site bordered by Tolponds Road and the B3304 on the northern edge of the town, and work to prepare the site started last week

The investment has been welcomed by Minister for Local Growth Jake Berry, who said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and ensuring every community has the support and investment it needs to grow and flourish.

“This is an exciting opportunity to invest £700,000 from the Local Growth Fund in a project which will create 40 jobs for local people, attract businesses to the area and help protect the environment by cutting traffic and introducing a bike hire scheme.”

And St Ives MP Derek Thomas, whose constituency includes Porthleven, said: “I’m delighted that this initiative has secured such a significant amount of Local Growth funding and commend all those who worked to secure this investment. Job opportunities that extend beyond the typical visitor season in Porthleven are always welcome as they enable more local people to stay in the area, work in the area and raise their families in the area. This is essential for local growth and will build confidence for others to invest in Porthleven.”

Rob Moore from PHDC added: “We’re delighted to be delivering a project that supports local employment and brings beneficial change to Porthleven for residents and visitors, and we are grateful to the LEP for its investment.

“We have secured leases with three businesses on the site and we are now actively exploring opportunities for the delivery of the project’s second phase, which will deliver more car parking and workspace, alongside a community facility which we are currently working up.”

Glenn Caplin, Chief Executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said: “This is an important project for Porthleven that will provide year-round employment and help local businesses to become more productive by offering them modern workspace that meets their needs and helps them grow. It will also reduce car journeys and congestion in the town centre with better connectivity on foot and by bike, and that’s good news for residents and visitors.”

Truro-based RHOS Construction have been appointed by PHDC to build the project, which is expected to be completed in the autumn, with businesses moving in before the end of the year.

The LEP’s investment is the latest from its £78m Local Growth Fund allocation secured from the government in the last five years. Other projects include a recently announced investment of £575,000 in seafood supplier Falfish in Redruth; an £8.4m investment in Goonhilly Earth Station; £2m for creative industries workspace at the Hall for Cornwall; £2m for business and incubation space in Newquay and £1m towards energy efficiency and electric vehicle projects on the Isles of Scilly.