One of Falmouth's longest established art galleries has opened up in the chic north London district of Primrose Hill alongside a store which brings the best of Cornish goodies to the capital.

Guests from Cornwall, London and across the UK involved in the arts and journalism, film and food, government and industry gathered to celebrate the launch of Beside the Wave London and Clare’s Cornish Kitchen.

Beside the Wave has been in Arwenack Street for 25 years. Ingrid Heseltine, a management consultant who has owned of the gallery for the past eight years, has now teamed up with Cornwall-loving businesswoman Clare Latimer who owns the building in Primrose Hill and wanted to introduce the best of her favourite part of the world to London.

“We’ve always had a great reputation and while our artists sell very well in London – even in the depths of the recession – it is the link with Clare that has made it possible for us to buck the trend and open a gallery here,” said Ingrid.

“Her support with premises at an affordable rent and a flexible tenancy agreement – along with our similar aims to promote the amazing county we love - have made for a very exciting venture. We are also so fortunate to find ourselves in a similarly warm and supportive community in Primrose Hill as we have in Falmouth.”

Clare herself has had a highly successful career in catering with clients of Clare’s Kitchen including a string of celebrities, alongside her work as a cookery editor. Now Clare’s Cornish Kitchen is set up at the back of her Chalcot Road building with an aim “to share the amazing un-tampered food that the Cornish create and also to give a helping hand to Cornwall’s producers.”

Beside the Wave was also helped by a £25,000 investment from the Business Catalyst Fund, through Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, which allowed the gallery to upgrade its operations, including the overhaul of its digital stocktaking and website and introducing the ability to buy any of its 750 artworks online. It also enabled a feasibility study regarding the move into the London market – which Clare’s approach has now helped bring to reality.

Beside the Wave’s stable of Cornwall-based, but globe-trotting artists includes Ben Warner, Richard Tuff, Miles Heseltine, Mary Mabbutt, Robert Jones and Sarah Wimperis. The gallery’s upcoming solo and mixed exhibitions will either open in Falmouth and transfer to London or vice versa.