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North Cornwall: WORLD-CLASS ‘BUSINESS HAVEN’ PLAN FOR PADSTOW

Plans have been announced for a £2.5 million world class “business innovation centre” at Padstow, creating 30 new jobs and attracting a thousand industry leaders from European companies every year.


Involving the conversion of the rundown Crugmeer Farm on the town’s outskirts, the scheme would inject an estimated three quarters of a million pounds into the local economy annually outside of the main holiday season, with its unique innovation service in a stunning location.

The new Haven Business Innovation Centre would also include seven leasable micro business units for knowledge-based businesses and suppliers of innovation and design services.

These would be among a network of specialists available to serve delegates exclusively hiring the centre for days or weeks at a time to take advantage of confidentiality and “the chance for clear-headed thinking.”

A detailed planning application, involving refurbishment of existing slate walled buildings and replacing of the modern sheds with a smaller new build, has been submitted to North Cornwall District Council. The applicant, newly-formed Haven Jetty Company Ltd, based in Helston, would lease the 14,000 sq ft site from the Prideaux-Brune Estate. The Haven team have world leading experience in operating innovation centres and services.

Haven Jetty has run a major consultation process and is currently in talks with the South West Regional Development Agency. The company has letters of support from Cornwall Business Partnership, Cornwall Pure Business, Business Link, the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) and Creative Kernow,

The Redruth-based Rowe Group, one of Cornwall’s biggest and oldest business concerns, has provided seed funding and a minority investor is Charlie Watson-Smyth, the current tenant farmer and former Mayor of Padstow.

“From all the indications of support, formal and private, that we have received to date, we are very confident that if the application is approved it can quickly be a tremendous shot in the arm for the Padstow area’s economy,” said Haven Jetty managing director Chris Chapman.

“We could be starting the building programme within months, with a view to having the entire operation up and running by late autumn of 2007. Our projections are for up to a thousand delegates annually by Year 3, spending three quarters of a million pounds in the area and with this figure rising to a million by Year 5.”

He added: “This facility will be used by executive-level personnel from blue chip companies from all over Europe.

“Above all, the greatest benefit for them will literally be a haven in which to work. The Haven will be the ideal venue for focused concepting, brainstorming and project kick-offs, when confidentiality and the chance for clear-headed thinking are at a premium – contrary to the more typical setting for such purposes, involving smaller conference facilities or larger venues with multiple activities for multiple clients going on at the same time

“The available knowledge workers and design suppliers will be a mix of international experts and local talent, which will be developed and nurtured in another boost for the Cornish economy.”

Designed by CAD Architects of Penryn, space at The Haven will primarily cater for business groups of 25 to 65, with group working areas, breakout rooms, a small workshop and administration office. Moving walls will allow a large group working/projection area for occasionally up to 100. All accommodation is to be supplied offsite by local providers.

The brand package will include challenging “Cornwall” activities such as surfing and moor walking. The centre will not operate the innovation service during the peak summer holiday season and at Christmas.

Deborah Smith, Head of VisitCornwall, believes the project will make a major contribution : “ For the first time we are planning a national campaign to promote Cornwall for business events and conferences, so this initiative will really add to what we can offer.”


It is planned to renovate the slate buildings around the farm courtyard, remove the corrugated structures to the west and south west and replace these with a newbuild. The emphasis will be on local materials and sustainability, including geothermic heating. The complex will be maximum two storeys, with little difference from existing buildings in terms of visual impact.

The majority of customers are expected to be taxied/mini-coached in from Newquay Airport or Bodmin Railway Station for their week visits. A green transport strategy is being developed to minimise car usage and ferry visitors in.

Mr Chapman, who lives at Godolphin Cross near Penzance, has built teams and businesses that have developed cutting edge products for leading brands around the world, including Logitech and Orange. As a consultant, he has worked for clients such as Evoke and the Design Council. He is a co-founder of the Cornwall Design Forum.