Penzance Harbour’s exciting transformation plan has reached a key milestone with the completion of the first phase of its £3.96 million Town Deal project. The resurfacing works on the former Boston Shed area on West Quay are the first in a series of improvements designed to support the harbour’s wider 10-year plan to enhance the long-term economic sustainability of the area by refurbishing and modernising the harbour and its operations. Once fully complete, the scheme at West Quay will provide a new freight handling facility and improved access and waiting areas for commercial road vehicles. This will mean heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will no longer have to park on the main road, reducing traffic congestion and pollution in the area.
Funded by £2.96 million from the government’s Town Deal programme and £1 million from Cornwall Council, the improvements will be delivered in and around the town’s harbour area over the coming months. Following the completion of the resurfacing, work on clearing the south end of the Quay is due to begin on 12 January. This will involve the demolition of a number of redundant buildings, including the former Waterside Meadery, to provide additional space and enable future development. The start of this work is later than originally expected following delays in arranging the disconnection of services by utility companies.
Martin Tucker, Chair of the Penzance Town Deal Board, said “It is great to see the completion of the first phase of this much needed transformation plan. Penzance Harbour is vital to the future growth of the local economy and I am very proud of the role of the Town Deal project in providing funding to upgrade its facilities to create a modern and sustainable hub for the marine and engineering sectors. “I am looking forward to seeing work begin on the next phase of the plan”.
Penzance Harbour handles around 16,000 tonnes of freight to and from the Isles of Scilly each year and, between March and November, is the mainland terminal for the Scillonian III providing a passenger service which carries around 120,000 each year. The harbour provides facilities for both local and visiting recreational crafts and is used by a fleet of beam trawlers which operate from the wet dock. It is also home to Penzance Dry Dock which has received £2.67m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, supporting a £4m investment into the modernisation and rejuvenation of the facility.
Other planned schemes in the second phase of the Penzance Harbour Management Plan include new engineering workshops, a new pontoon to cater for growing demand from cruise ships and visiting crafts, a new boat lift crane, an eco-friendly marine wash bay facility, and enhanced public spaces. Together these schemes will provide improved facilities for local and visiting vessels and help to boost the local marine and engineering sectors by providing new and affordable space for businesses. They will also help to reduce congestion and the risk for pedestrians and cyclists caused by freight vehicles waiting on local roads, creating a more attractive and enjoyable site.
The Harbour Management Team are also working closely with Cornwall Council, the Town Deal Board, the Isles of Scilly Steamship company and Penwith Marine Services to develop the Rank Building on the North Arm. As well as housing new engineering workshops and chandlery shop for Penwith Marine Services, the refurbished building will provide much needed improved facilities for harbour users, including toilets, showers and a laundry facility. Work is currently expected to begin on the Rank Building in April 2026 and is due to be completed by the end of November.
“The last few months have been an extremely busy time for Penzance Harbour “ said Maritime Manager Chris Jones. “As well as the resurfacing works on the Quay and managing fish landings, we have welcomed a high number of visiting vessels. These have included the superyacht Akula and the Spanish ‘Galeon Andalucia’ during the Golowan festival week. “ “The next few months will see significant progress being made on delivering the next phase of our transformation plan and we would like to thank all our partners and the local community for their support as we secure the long-term future of the harbour and the town.
As well as the scheme at the Rank Building, 2026 will also see a number of other works taking place in and around the towns’ harbour area. These will include the start of highways improvements at Coinagehall Street. Penzance Town Deal Board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £21.5 million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the town’s regeneration and boost the local economy. For more information about this and other Town Deal investment in Penzance, visit www.penzancetownfund.co.uk