Media releases
Click on a date below to display media releases.
Convergence investment in historic building conversion to offices
18.12.09
An historic former dairy building in Penzance is to be converted to provide high spec, flexible, office accommodation with support from ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence investment.
The Dairy Knights building, in Belgravia Street, will be converted to provide168m2 of office accommodation with high speed broadband access. The completed development will provide offices for up to 13 people. It is estimated the work will be completed in February 2010. The project, worth just over £241,500 has been approved for just under £90,000 from the ERDF Convergence Programme.
The project will be delivered by BBCB Ltd – a company which has delivered many developments in Penzance and has previously been involved in the conversion of a number of older buildings in the town. Recent examples include Leskinnick House and the former Meeks Emporium. The company has also recently been awarded the contract to extend the Alfred Smiths furniture store located in Penzance town centre.
Neil Badcock, BBCB Director, said: “This investment has made all the difference and without it the project and the resulting employment space would not have happened. We are very positive that there is demand for high quality office space in Penzance.”
“As a small company we needed help with the application process and I can’t speak too highly of the officers involved within the South West RDA and Cornwall Development Company. Although the application process can appear daunting, on the basis of our experience I would encourage other businesses in Cornwall who have a good project to persevere.”
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Higher quality workspace is key to supporting the growth of higher value businesses in Cornwall. Turning our historic buildings into workspace fit for the 21st century will give tenant businesses a unique offer to achieve a more competitive edge.”
Ian Whale, infrastructure manager at the South West RDA, which handles applications for ERDF Convergence investment for workspace gap funding, said: “This project will create high quality office accommodation in the heart of Penzance and bring an old building back into commercial use by attracting businesses and jobs.”
Anyone who wants to apply for ERDF Convergence investment for workspace gap funding should contact Ian Whale – 01872 243777 – or John Burton – 01872 243773.
For further information contact:
BBCB Ltd
01736 741133
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
01872 241379 / 07973 813647
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
Editors’ notes:
ERDF Convergence:
· For further information see: www.convergencecornwall.com
· Convergence helpline telephone: 0800 0280120.
· In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly the Convergence programmes are made up of European Regional Development Fund (£347 million) and European Social Fund (£153 million) Convergence Programmes will run until 2013 and follow the successful Objective One Programme and prior to that Objective 5b.
· The ERDF Programme investment is intended to boost the region’s economy by providing focussed support for business creating better quality, higher paid jobs. This support includes training and access to higher education, strengthening links between academia and business, improved IT infrastructure, additional high quality workspace and specialist support to boost business productivity.
Workspace gap funding:
· Applications will be considered up to March 31st 2013 and costs that this gap funding will cover include site value (up to 10%); site investigation and preparation; constructuion or refurbishment; professional fees and planning obligations. ERDF Convergence investment will be offered to a maximum of 30% of the costs for large enterprises – with more than 250 employees – or up to 50% for smaller businesses.
BBCB Ltd:
· BBCB was formed in 2003 and now has 30 local employees and uses several Cornwall sub contractors.
· At the end of October 2009 it had a turnover of £7 million – a year on year growth for BBCB Ltd.
· BBCB previously specialised in converting older buildings but is increasingly broadening its base to include affordable and market price housing as well as business space.
