Call of the sea

How Falmouth is fostering a diverse business community

Quality-led experiences and a fiercely independent new breed of innovative small businesses are coming to the fore in a new-look UK high street, according to recent research by Experian, which describes the rise, for example, of vegan eateries, dog-grooming salons and micro-breweries. One town which reflects this well and, in fact, is setting trends nationally in respect of its high street template, is Falmouth, Cornwall. It is a destination that not only showcases exciting individual retailers but is also viewed as a dynamic and inspiring hub for a wide range of innovative enterprises and sectors, from digital design agencies to superyacht manufacturers, marine renewable start-ups to gaming academies. Across the town, flexible business models are flourishing, with niche food and experience-led activities under one entrepreneurial roof. Daytime themed cafés transform into evening drink-led venues, capturing the visitor pound by day and the local/student evening economy by night. Artisan retailers combine creative workshops and online merchandising techniques, making the most of their retail space, while nurturing a loyal community in the process.

“The number of visitors continues to rise and with it the opportunity for small businesses to flourish”

It’s not difficult to see what makes Falmouth so attractive to SMEs. With an enviable coastal location, it encourages a ‘blue mind’, live-workplay mindset, where collaborative businesses, exciting career options and an enviable lifestyle play out, supported by an award-winning destination management team. It’s a town that punches well above its weight, attracting people worldwide to live, study, work and create, and with the region’s most diverse year-round festivals calendar, the number of visitors to the area continues to rise, and with it the opportunity for small businesses to flourish.

Richard Wilcox, Executive Director of Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID), Chair of Cornwall Towns and South West BIDs groups, said: “Falmouth has a dynamic business community, with the spirit of collaboration strongly evident. And it is the diverse nature of the high street which really adds to Falmouth’s appeal and ‘investability’, with quality-led businesses from retail, hospitality, digital, creative and marine sectors, working and operating successfully alongside one another.” falmouth.co.uk