The Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa has been awarded a £525k grant by the Coastal Communities Fund to support its multi-million beachfront regeneration project.
Planning permission for the scheme, which will include a water sports centre, conference and wedding venue, restaurant and community hub, was granted by Cornwall Council in January 2013.
Through the beachfront regeneration, the hotel aims to make Carbis Bay a focal point for the local community as well as leisure and business visitors, which will create over 65 local jobs and help to support a year-round economy for the area.
The development is being funded by direct investment from father and son owners of the hotel, Malcolm and Stephen Baker, supported by grant funding and revenue from eight new beachfront apartments.
The £525k grant was announced as part of the launch of the third round of the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) programme, which is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Government.
Since launching in 2012, it has awarded grants to 62 organisations across the country to the value of £32 million, which is predicted to create 6,000 jobs and attract £56 million of additional funds to coastal areas.
Stephen Baker, owner of the Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Coastal Communities Fund grant – it will go a long way towards helping us deliver our flagship regeneration project and support sustainable economic growth in Carbis Bay.
“The beachfront regeneration will benefit the local community and local economy, and help to reduce the seasonality of the tourism industry in west Cornwall.”
The Bakers have already invested over £5 million in upgrading the hotel, which included extensive refurbishment of the hotel entrance, reception, ground floor and lounge completed in 2011 and a new £750k spa which opened in 2013. The development will be phased over three years.
