A presentation was given by guest speaker, Kevin Brownridge from "Perfect Moment Consultants" of Newlyn. He spoke on the bid for the proposed Creative Industries Unit for Penwith. He said an application for £750,000 funding had been submitted to SWERDA and Europe for the three year project.

The proposed project will focus on helping the commercial sector of local creative industries increase turnover and income for local crafts people such as visual artists, ceramicists, jewellers, film, media and the performing arts.

Mr Browndridge said: "Penwith has the largest concentration of working artists outside London. There are about 70 galleries and about 1,200 people engaged professionally in the creative industries commercially."

He said the aim of the scheme was to provide much needed back-up business advice and mentoring services to help local professionals realise their economic potential.

"There would also be a resource centre and an innovations investment scheme," he said.

"The unit would employ two business advisors and a resource centre manager."

The Forum was also addressed by Nigel Horwell, Penzance Regeneration Manager, who reported on the current situation with the Penzance and Newlyn Harbour schemes.

He said a number of options were emerging from the Harbour area study, set up by Penwith Council.

One option being looked at by the council's consultants is for a roll on roll off cargo and passenger ferry terminal for the Steamship Company link to the Isles of Scilly.

A second option is take over and infill space by the Jubilee Pool and Battery Rocks to create more space for loading and unload and ancillary uses. Option three would involve a 50 metre extension to the Lighthouse Pier.

Mr Horwell said the long awaited hydrographic survey would soon be taking place as consultants were currently being consulted with a view to making a larger survey of the bay than first proposed.

He stressed, however, any or all of the options being put forward would be put to the people of Penzance to decide.

Forum members expressed the need for Penzance and Newlyn to work more closely together on regeneration proposals and expressed concern about any covering up of the Battery Rocks.

Members were also told Penwith Council had submitted an application for grants to bring back into use derelict or underused building around the town through the Heritage Lottery Fund's townscape and heritage initiative.

The meeting also discussed the new bus station, with members expressing their disappointment, saying there was no real protection from wind and rain.

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