£10 million jobs boost for Falmouth
7:30am Friday 20th April 2012 in Business
£10 million jobs boost for Falmouth
A £10 million expansion for Pendennis shipyard could create an extra 120 jobs for Falmouth after planners gave the scheme the go-ahead.
The redevelopment will dramatically increase the superyacht specialists’ capacity as well as allowing the company to build and repair larger vessels.
The work is the first stage of the Port of Falmouth masterplan, and has been welcomed as a vital boost not just for Falmouth, but for the wider area as well.
The plans, which will see the superyacht specialists hugely increase the capacity of the business, were approved by Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee last week.
The height of the yard’s dry dock would rise by nine metres, allowing larger vessels to be built at the site, while two new warehouses at the site would be large enough to see yachts winched in directly.
A new hospitality suite, new crew quarters, six ground floor workshops and new office space will also be created under the proposals.
Toby Allies, sales and marketing director at Pendennis, said: “This is hugely positive news for both Pendennis and the whole of Falmouth.
“We have been a growing company in Falmouth for many years and these plans will allow us to improve our facilities and remain competitive in the sector.
“It is a fantastic start to what promises to be a wonderful 2012 for us.”
Councillor Mike Varney, who represents the Boslowick ward on Cornwall Council, is chairman of the strategic planning committee.
He said: “This is brilliant news for the town. It is a £10 million private investment in the town.
“They are a world class company, absolutely fantastic for not just the docks and Falmouth, but for the whole of the county.
“It is likely to create around 120 new jobs for the town at a company that already employs around 60 apprentices in the town.
“Cornwall Council has adopted the Port of Falmouth masterplan and this is part of that wider scheme.
“As chairman of the masterplan initiative, it is fantastic to see so much hard work begin to pay off, and this is just the first step.
“We are so lucky to have a company of the calibre of Pendennis Superyachts wanting to stay at the Docks, this investment really shows their intentions for the future.”
Geoffrey Evans, Mayor of Falmouth, also welcomed the news, saying: “This is great news for the town, it will bring jobs to Falmouth, which is so important in this economic climate.
“It will bring more prosperity to the area, and is great news for young people as they are a company which does so many apprenticeships for local people.”
