06.02.04
Expansion at hotel

A leading Cornish hotel is carrying out an exciting expansion project that will increase its restaurant capacity by 50 per cent and substantially upgrade its kitchen equipment.

The 40-bedroomed Carbis Bay Hotel, situated overlooking the golden sands of Carbis Bay beach and St Ives Bay, received a £48,526 investment from the Objective One-funded Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Food and Drink Partnership Scheme towards the £160,000 total cost of the project.

It involves the building of a large conservatory that will cater for an additional 40 tables as well as a more informal function room with bistro-style cuisine. Along with the ability to increase restaurant capacity, the grant also covers the purchase of new kitchen equipment including a grill, combination steam oven, wine chiller, extraction system, electronic dishwater, walk-in fridge and freezer, coffee machine and new hot water supply.

Built as a hotel by famous architect Sylvanus Trevail in 1894, the Carbis Bay Hotel enjoys a magnificent location with beautiful views across the sea towards St Ives Bay. Purchased by the Baker family in 1981, it has undergone a number of refurbishment programmes in the past and is one of only three quality three-star hotels in the St Ives area. The hotel and its location have been used in television and filming on many occasions and was featured by famous author Rosamunde Pilcher as the Sands Hotel in her book 'The Shell Seekers'.

With 40 individually decorated bedrooms and number of luxury self-catering houses and apartments, the hotel caters for many different market sectors. It has a 95 per cent occupancy rate and is the premier venue for functions such as weddings, lunches, society meetings and conferences. The restaurant has long been awarded an AA rosette for outstanding cuisine and in addition the hotel has won food and service awards from a leading UK and overseas tour operator.

"Increasing the restaurant capacity means that we will be able to offer a different dining experience to a new market along with catering for larger functions and also attracting more accommodation bookings as more people will stay overnight to attend such events. It will dramatically improve the operational efficiency of the hotel," said Stephen Baker, project and hotel manager.

The hotel prides itself on the fact that most of its food and drink is sourced locally. "Currently around threequarters come from Cornish producers and we actively seek out new local suppliers," he added. "We only buy out of the county if we have to and that usually involves dried foods or goods in bulk. Keeping everything as local as we can is definitely what our residents and visitors prefer – especially those from overseas."

Graham Woolcock, of Business Link Devon and Cornwall, programme manager for the Cornwall Food and Drink Partnership Scheme, said: "We are delighted to be part of this exciting project which will enable more visitors to appreciate fully not only the quality of this landmark hotel but also the best Cornish produce."

The Carbis Bay Hotel is also currently looking at redeveloping Carbis Bay Beach.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Food and Drink Partnership Scheme helps businesses involved in the food and drink industries in the Objective One area. It is funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and delivered through a partnership involving Business Link Devon and Cornwall and Taste of the West.

The scheme, which provides business, technical and development advice as well as capital grant aid, is open to food and drink processors, caterers, wholesalers, retailers and agricultural producers. Up to 50 per cent of the total cost of a project is available and all applicants must show a link to Cornish agricultural production.

There is a fast track application process where the total project cost does not exceed £10,000 and a mainstream programme for projects up to £120,000 (maximum grant support level £60,000). The project is fully committed at present and is in the process of applying for further funds from Government Office for the South West

For further press information please contact Ian Gent on 0845 600 9966 or 0777 1631518 or Janice Brazell on 0845 600 9966.

For the Carbis Bay Hotel contact Stephen Baker on 01736 795311.

Editor's notes:

Business Link Devon and Cornwall

The Business Link service for Devon and Cornwall is a government-funded service designed to provide the best possible help to people starting, running or growing a business. At its core is an information and enquiry centre, supported by a network of local and national specialists and support organisations. Business Link receives European investment to enable it to deliver its services in Devon and Cornwall. For more information contact 0845 600 9966

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)

EAGGF is one of the four funds that make up the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which is making £314 million of investment available to support the local economy between 2000 and 2006.

EAGGF aims to:

For further information contact:

Roger Whilding
Cornish Horticulture Enterprises
01626 890405

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top