A new £2 million business park at Porthleven, backed with £700k of investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), has welcomed its first occupants.
Helston-based Origin Coffee, one of the UK’s longest standing specialist coffee makers, and engineering company Porthleven Metalwork have relocated to the new Foundry Business Park. The move has allowed both businesses to expand their operations while remaining in the area and providing employment for local people.
The project has taken a year to build and has been supported by the LEP using £700k from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, with a further £1.3 million coming from the Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company (PHDC).
The scheme has created workspace for around 40 jobs across three business units, helping to diversify Porthleven’s seasonal, tourism-led economy. A third company will be moving to the business park this summer, with details to be announced soon.
There are also 40 public car parking spaces and bike storage facilities, aimed at reducing congestion during the summer months when Porthleven welcomes large numbers of visitors.
Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said: “This is a great development by the Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company that we have been pleased to support. It’s giving local businesses the modern workspace they need to boost their productivity and grow and helps secure quality year-round employment for local people while helping to tackle congestion.”
Rob Moore from the PHDC, said: “We are extremely proud to have completed the first phase of development at The Foundry and are excited to see how the project will facilitate the growth of enterprising businesses that are moving to the site.
“Porthleven has benefited over the years from a strong tourism led economy and while that has brought many benefits, we are also seeking ways to facilitate a greater degree of economic diversity which will bring year-round benefits. The Foundry represents an opportunity for businesses from a diverse variety of sectors to establish and grow in Porthleven.”
Origin Coffee is no stranger to Porthleven having opened its first ever coffee shop in the town in 2015. The business has relocated from its current headquarters in Helston to a new purpose-built roastery and coffee shop at Foundry Business Park.
Owner and founder, Tom Sobey, said: “I am incredibly proud to be able to open the new roastery in Porthleven this spring. We opened our first Origin coffee shop in Porthleven six years ago, and it’s been incredible to watch the town flourish into a vibrant destination and we are all looking forward to joining the community.”