Friday 31 January 2014

St Ives BID - Final Proposal Published

St Ives BID - Final Proposal
St Ives BID - Final Proposal


St Ives BID is a proposal to raise money from a 2% compulsory business rates levy - to be paid by all businesses and organisations with a rateable value of £5000 or more.

They have now published their full proposal online.

The money raised will be spent on a programme of projects - scheduled over 5 years - that aim to improve the business environment in town. This is estimated at £150,000 per year.

All businesses affected will be able to vote on the proposal in April 2014. If a majority approve - everybody will have to pay the levy - even if they voted against.

Also - an important note for charities and voluntary groups in St Ives - quoting from the BID Proposal -

"12) Premises occupied by charities or non-profit making organisations, will be liable for the full BID levy. The exception to this is voluntary groups and charities with no commercial activities, schools, surgeries and hospitals; these organisations will not be liable for the levy."

If you are involved in a local non-profit organisation don't assume that you won't be affected. The definition of "no commercial activities" is open to interpretation. It would be in your interests to get involved and find out. You may also need to consult your members about which way to vote.

You can read the proposal in full here:
St Ives BID - Final Proposal

The BID Steering Group are hosting an "Information Event" on 27th February 2014 at St Ives Theatre 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm (prompt). A chance to learn more and have your say. Details and RSVP here:
St Ives BID - News

Some local businesses have set up a Facebook page to encourage debate and present all sides of the argument - you can get involved and join the debate here::
The BID Debate - St Ives

Thursday 30 January 2014

Minack Theatre - 2014 Programme

The Minack Theatre - Porthcurno
The Minack Theatre - Porthcurno


One of my favourite trips out of St Ives is to The Minack Theatre at Porthcurno.

A completely unique venue - a theatre cut into the rock and overlooking the sea.

They have just published their programme for Spring and Summer 2014.

The season opens on 14th April with a production of the musical Grease by St Ives company Kidz R Us Youth Theatre.

It then continues through to September with a range of entertainment including theatre and live music.

Full details can be found on:
Minack Theatre - Programme

One of the best ways to get to the Minack from is by coach - with reserved seats included in the price - departures from St Ives every week through the season with:
Oates Travel - St Ives Cornwall - Coach and Tour Operator

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Textile Art Workshops In St Ives

Textile Art Workshop - Crazy Patchwork Hearts
Textile Art Workshop - Crazy Patchwork Hearts


Jo McIntosh - Knit One Weave One - has a new programme of Textile Art Workshops - running in St Ives over the coming months.

The next has a Valentines Day theme - Crazy Patchwork Hearts - Sunday 9th February.

Then on Tuesday 18th February - Silk Papermaking.

Great fun - a chance to get creative and learn something new. Cost is just £15.00 per person - including all materials.

The full programme is on:
Knit One Weave One - Craft Workshops and Classes

If you would like to buy a gift voucher for a friend or loved one who would enjoy a workshop - you can get one online here. A perfect Valentines Day gift:
Knit One Weave One - Gift Vouchers

Creative Textiles Course - St Ives Cornwall
Creative Textiles Course - St Ives Cornwall

Jo is also running a ten week Creative Textiles Course in St Ives - starting on Wednesday 5th March. Get in touch for more information:
01736 797 122
jo.mcintosh@knitweave.co.uk

Tuesday 28 January 2014

St Ives Jazz Club - Winter Programme

St Ives Jazz Club
St Ives Jazz Club


St Ives Jazz Club re-opens tonight after a short Winter break.

Tonight at The Western Hotel - Christine Tobin Trio.

Doors open at 8.00 pm - music from 9.00 pm till late.

Entry is £12.00 / £8.00 (members).

The club will be staging top class modern jazz every Tuesday through the year.

Full details of the 2014 programme are on:
St Ives Jazz Club - Website

Saturday 25 January 2014

St Ives Business Improvement District (BID)

St Ives Business Improvement District
St Ives Business Improvement District


An interesting article was published this week on the front page of
The St Ives Times and; Echo.

It highlights the concerns of a number of local businesses about the St Ives Business Improvement District (BID) initiative. These include the burden of additional - and compulsory - business rates - at a time when trading conditions are still difficult for most.

BID is a proposal to raise money from a 2% business rates levy - to be paid by all businesses with a rateable value of £5000 or more.

The money raised will then be spent on a series of projects - scheduled over 5 years - that aim to improve the business environment in town. This is estimated at £150,000 per year.

Note the word 'compulsory'. All businesses affected will be able to vote on the proposal in April 2014 . If a majority approve - everybody will have to pay the levy - even if they voted against.

Also - quoting the official BID website:
'It is likely that businesses with rateable values below this figure will be excluded from the BID.'
Implying that smaller businesses could also be required to pay up.

Melanie Uys - who runs Uys Gallery on Tregenna Hill - is quoted:
'It is unfair for us t be expected to pay an additional levy each month even if we vote against it'.

The official St Ives BID Website - is almost entirely one-sided - presenting the case in favour with little or nothing about any possible downside. To be fair - it also gives a good account of the facts about BID - so is worth visiting if you want to form your own opinion.

As a counterbalance - some local businesses have set up a Facebook page to encourage debate and present all sides of the argument - depending on who chooses to post there:
The BID Debate - St Ives

My opinion - for what its worth - is that this could be a wonderful opportunity for St Ives - if the money is spent wisely - and if it does not present Cornwall Council with an excuse for yet more cutbacks in local services (more news on that coming here soon).

But - those are two very big IFs.

My experience of similar projects is that there is huge scope for waste and mismanagement. Also lots of scope for individuals or groups to pursue their own personal "hobbyhorses" without regard for the opinions of others. Equally - well managed projects with a solid business case can deliver results.

One interesting thing that I found in the Draft St Ives BID Proposal is that 20% of the budget is allocated for "BID Delivery". This amounts to around £30,000 per year - £150,000 over five years - a fair chunk of money. As a professionally qualified project manager I can say that the consensus on best practice is that project management overheads should amount to 10% to 20% of project costs. So the proposal here is in the ballpark but right at the top end.

What this will be spent on is not yet entirely clear. Presumably some will be needed to cover necessary legal and accountancy fees - plus other overheads. But that surely won't add up to £30k per year - where will the rest go ?

My guess is that it will be used to pay a fairly generous salary to a BID Manager.

The BID Steering Group are holding an "Information Event" - on Wednesday 27th February 2014 - 6.00 pm for 6,30 pm at St Ives Theatre. A chance to learn more and have your say. All welcome - details and RSVPs here:
St Ives BID - Information Event

Feel free to post your own thoughts and opinions  in the comments on this blog.

Thursday 23 January 2014

St Ives Punt - Nominated For International Award

Launch Of The St Ives Punt
Launch Of The St Ives Punt


March 2013 saw the launch of a new St Ives Punt onto St Ives Harbour by St Ives Jumbo Association.

Their aim is to revive the sport of Scully Racing in St Ives.

The vessel has now been nominated for an international award in Classic Boat Magazine.

To quote Jonny Nance - boat builder:

'To our great surprise the international magazine which celebrates 'the world's most beautiful boats'  has shortlisted our new punt for the Classic Boat 2014 Awards in the 'traditional newbuild' category and so has thrust the St.Ives punt onto the international stage!

Needless to say we're up against some pretty stiff competition. Now, I'd be the first to admit she not the sexiest newbuild of 2013 which makes our punt a particularly interesting choice. Clearly Classic Boat have been attracted by our activities. This is less about the boat itself and more in recognition of the new use that the Jumbo Association has found for her!'

You can add your support by voting - the punt is competing in Category 3 - Traditional New Build. To cast your vote go to:
Classic Boat Awards 2014

You can also show your support by "Liking" the St Ives Punt on:
Classic Boat Awards - Facebook Page

Details of the next Scully Day in St Ives will be posted here when announced.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Arts Workshops - Barnoon St Ives

Barnoon Workshop - St Ives Cornwall
Barnoon Workshop - St Ives Cornwall


Barnoon Workshop is a new creative space in St Ives - for arts workshops, performance and other events.

Located at Barnoon overlooking Porthmeor Beach and Tate St Ives.

They  have a programme of arts workshops - starting this month:
  • Rag Rug - Jo McIntosh - Sunday 19th January.
  • Introduction To Sculpture - Tree Stewart - Sunday 26th January.
  • Starter Guitar - Pete Giles - Sunday 2nd February.
If you would like to book a place on a workshop - get in touch:

Call - 07900 095 203
Email - barnoonworkshop@outlook.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/barnoonworkshop

More workshops will be added - watch this space.