Business at Wharfside Shopping Centre 'on the up'

The Wharfside Art Hub is a contemporary exhibition space showcasing local artists and makers

A shopping centre in Penzance is experiencing a resurgence in its fortunes with empty retail outlets being filled by independent businesses and restaurants, according to the management team there.

In the past month alone two new shops have opened at the Wharfside Shopping Centre - the Number Seven Studio and Workshop and Refillution which offers eco products.

The centre fell into decline during the recession when national chains such as Argos and New Look moved away to larger towns and cities or out-of-town locations.

Penzance Bid manager Sarah Shaw said: "The management has worked so hard to get it [the centre] up and running - they are doing a phenomenal job."

Kate Jones, manager at the Wharfside Arts Hub, said the centre had become "quite buzzy"

The Wharfside Arts Hub is also experiencing increased footfall.

Manager Kate Jones said people coming to view exhibitions at the hub were then attracted to other businesses nearby.

"There's plenty for people to see and it's become quite buzzy and the art hub has really played a part in that with people being drawn in," she said.

"It's that idea that you bring the artists in to attract people to visit."

The hub is currently exhibiting the work of 99-year-old performance artist Ken Turner who is showing 17 of his paintings which focus on the conflict in Gaza.

Artist Camilla Dixon is also exhibiting lenticular paintings - created using a printing process that gives them the illusion of depth or movement when viewed from different angles.

Todd Barden, who runs Ride-On e-bikes, said: "We've just seen these people who are happy to put themselves on the line and set up these exciting ventures.

"We moved to the Wharfside two years ago and business has transformed since we moved here.

"Business is on the up," he added.

The Wharfside shopping centre is right next to Penzance's seafront car park