JUST AN OPINION...
Work smart, work safe Colette Pearce, relations and operations manager at Charlestown Harbour, explains how the World Heritage site has been managing through lockdown. As a working port and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ve been fortunate to be able to continue essential maintenance and restoration work through lockdown on not only the harbour itself, but also the heritage vessels in our fleet. The historic wooden ships that call the harbour home need ongoing work to keep them seafaring – and our small and multi-skilled team have been working hard to cleverly adapt to the challenges presented by lockdown, to ensure we’re ready to safely re-open when the time is right. We’re really passionate about maritime heritage and are quietly working behind the scenes to ensure Charlestown Harbour is a hub for maritime heritage in the UK – by repairing and preserving classic sailing vessels and keeping alive the traditional skills, tools and practices required to do so. For example, we’re currently supporting on the conversation of Pen Glas, a 1960’s traditional wooden fishing boat, back to her original rig. It’s then hoped she’ll offer affordable bunk style on-thewater accommodation to travelers from May 2021 – as an added offering for visitors this year.
It never hurts to reflect and review on how you can better the visitor experience.
30
TALKING TOURISM
There is no denying that the past year has been difficult. I think it’s safe to say the impact of the pandemic has been felt by everyone, but it has certainly been a particularly challenging time for many in the tourism industry.
That said, we feel fortunate that Cornwall remains a popular staycation destination and over all we’re feeling optimistic for the coming season. What’s going to be more important than ever is to work smartly and safely, for the benefit of local people, other local businesses, our own team and the visitors. What advice would we give to other tourism businesses in the current situation? Every business is different of course, but it never hurts to reflect and review on how you can better the visitor experience. For us, we spotted an opportunity to make traditional sailing and getting out on the water more accessible. For many people, who live locally or are visiting, setting foot on a beautiful historic boat isn’t the norm! So, we launched our day sailing experiences last year, to enable people to explore St Austell Bay from the water and new for 2021 we’re offering new SUP, kayaking and coasteering facilities and introducing a variety of new UK sailing holidays from Charlestown. We’re upping our work with maritime charities too - supporting them by joining forces and inviting them to share in our facilities and tap into our skilled team. Last summer also saw Mascotte, one of the largest Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter’s ever built, arrive to her new home in Charlestown and this also marked the launch of Rich’s Boat – a new organisation that, with our help, is being used as an inspirational and educational sailing tool. It’s really about using the joy of sailing to champion positive mental health and wellbeing, for people of all ages and backgrounds. We’re also fortunate to be part of a fantastic local business community in the village and love that we’re able to support young Cornish companies too. For example, around the inner harbour The Rum Sailor bar is set to return this year, alongside Cubs Coffee, Charlestown Fish Company and HarbourQ – so there is variety of places to eat and drink, perfect for long overdue catchups with friends and family, when visiting the harbour later this year.
SPRING 2021
