02.08.07
Over £5 million invested into Cornwall's hotels and guest houses in less than five years

Two Objective One projects for hotels and guest houses – HONEY and honey2cornwall – have assisted nearly 200 businesses across Cornwall.

The HONEY and honey2cornwall programmes were created by Newquay for Excellence Training as a business skills programme specifically created for the hospitality industry. The programme offers a combination of business mentor support, specialist advice and access to subsequent investment of up to £38,000 per establishment.

The value of investment into Cornwall through the HONEY and honey2cornwall programmes is over £5 million. Since 2005, when the original HONEY project (which was Newquay-targeted) was rolled out across the region as honey2cornwall, the investment, so far has been in excess of £2.25 million.

More than 60% of the investment has already been approved covering a wide variety of enhancements to help make the local tourist industry more competitive. Examples include bedroom upgrades, complete kitchen refurbishments, landscaping, new IT equipment and even new websites but activity could relate to almost any quality improvement tied to a national quality star rating.

The Poltair Hotel in Falmouth has had total investment of £13,770 for a new website and significant and widespread bedroom upgrades. The hotel has just been accredited with a Silver Award with Visit Britain as a result. Anne and Malcolm Grimsley of The Poltair Hotel said: "Honey2cornwall helped us with a major programme of works and we achieved our goal of adding a Silver award to our existing 4 Stars. A big thanks to all the team at honey2cornwall."

The investment has benefited all sizes of serviced accommodation from four bedroom guest houses to 80 bedroom hotels.

The Cormorant Hotel at Golant, near Fowey has had investment of £38,000 to assist with a complete transformation of the premises, from the dining area to the grounds of the property.

"The honey2cornwall programme is a major opportunity for hospitality businesses in Cornwall," said Mary Tozer from The Cormorant Hotel. "My business has already benefited hugely, both financially, and from the guidance and advice provided by our appointed mentor, and by other professionals that he has enlisted on our behalf. I know that I can ask for his advice whenever I need it, which is a hugely valuable tool for any small business; but it's up to me. I can ask for a little help or a lot - there is no pressure for anything beyond what your own particular business needs and wants. If you seriously want to improve and upgrade, they can help. I thank my lucky stars that a kind fellow hotelier told me about honey2cornwall."

There are but a few places left to take advantage of potential funding support for work, but with less than a year remaining that time is quickly running out. If you would like to find out more, please contact Ruth Vincent, Director of Newquay For Excellence Training Ltd on 01637 871067.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager for the Objective One Partnership. Tel: 01872 223439 /07973 813647. Email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in HONEY and honey2cornwall through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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