independent Cornish news and comment

Kerrier: 60 NEW JOBS IN BIG NEW ROLE FOR OLD MINING SITE

Sixty new jobs are being created in a £2 million scheme to re-launch a former Cornish tin mining site as a major showcase opportunity for the South West’s most talented artisans and entrepreneurs.


Jersey-based businessman Mike Scragg hopes to double visitor numbers to half a million over the next two years at his Cornish Goldsmiths site, now renamed Treasure Park, near Portreath.

Fifteen new businesses have opened up on the 30-acre site in recent months, with at least another 15 targeted by the end of next year.

The ongoing development is dramatically raising the profile of the former Tolgus Tin location, where Mr Scragg opened his Cornish Goldsmiths jewellery centre – which has become Cornwall’s largest gold jewellery showroom - in 1989.

That was the second such centre in what has since become a network of nine, with others launched elsewhere in the UK and the Channel Islands, Canary Islands and the Balearics.

Now, following the pilot in Jersey, Cornwall is the second in Mr Scragg’s burgeoning new concept of “themed retail destinations,” with a host of other businesses joining a central jewellery community.

“We aim to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce,” he explained. “By offering subsidies and assistance, and by attracting Government sponsorship, we are able to help selected individuals with their first step on the ladder to success.

“As the leading free entry destination in Cornwall, our members will benefit from at least a quarter of a million annual visitors to whom they will be able to showcase their ideas in a top quality tourism and leisure destination that will do the county proud.”

Mr Scragg added: “I passionately believe that this site, complete with its old mine buildings and stream, can become a national treasure. There are so many highly talented creative individuals in Cornwall. We are basically offering them a sort of ‘business angel’ service whereby we give them a start in commercial life by bringing in the audience for their products.”

Many of the recent and envisaged additions on the site include hands-on opportunities for children and adults to make things themselves, including jewellery, pottery and teddy bears, as well as watching the experts utilising their skills.

The recent increase in businesses on the site follows completion of the first half of the £2 million development programme, creating new buildings and adapting existing ones. Work will begin soon on a further phase of 5,000 square feet of development, including additional leisure facilities, for completion next year.

The recent additions at the Treasure Park, with Cornish Goldsmiths continuing as anchor store, are the Silver Showhall, Cornwall Pearl, Star Attraction, Bags, Baubles and Beyond, Crystal Palace, The Bear Works, Jewellery Workshops, SilverWorks Studio, Pot of Gold, Treasure Hunt, Tolgus Mill, Cornish Blue pottery, Gem Scoop, Mr Goldfinder and Simply Cornish Hampers.

“For nearly 20 years we have been just Cornish Goldsmiths and a very big car park,” reflected Mr Scragg. “Now we are on the brink of something pretty spectacular, and for the incoming entrepreneurs there will be the bonus opportunity of multiple outlets – with potential to trade at some of our other sites as well.”

He stressed: “I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has an idea for a product concept or service that they think might qualify for induction into the Treasure Park community. They are very welcome to email me on mike@worldpearl.com for an application package.”

The Cornish Goldsmiths store employs 30 people and the new additions have doubled this figure. At least a further 30 new jobs will be created over the next 18 months if the new-look Treasure Park meets its targets.