European investment into the Cornish economy The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence Programme has invested approximately 1458 million into the economy of & the Isles of Scilly (C&IoS) since 2007

As the Convergence Programme closes In focus: King Edward Mine Says Tamsin Daniel, ’s it is time to look back and remember King Edward Mine, near Troon, is the commissioning and project development what ERDF Convergence invested in: oldest and best preserved pre-1920 min- officer: “The mine has a very special ing site left in Cornwall. For more than a place in many people’s hearts; it attracts superfast broadband, roads, people, century it was used by School many visitors and won an Engineering relocating businesses to Cornwall, of Mines to deliver practical training Heritage Award in 2013. The addition of green technologies, marine innova- before being bought by Cornwall Council the workspace allows businesses to work in 2009. Now a popular mining heritage in an inspiring and cultural place that is tions, graduate courses, business attraction, it is situated right next to the semi-rural but has the latest amenities growth and expansion, research and cycle and walking trail. any business needs.” development, new or refurbished workspace, transport, higher educa- ERDF is… tion, business support, infrastructure supporting businesses improvements, inward investment, Over the life of Convergence many regeneration, heritage & culture… business supports have accelerated the something here you want to know growth of eligible businesses; particu- larly high value businesses which are more about? Check out the website better able to pay higher wages, and www.erdfconvergence.org.uk to will strengthen the commercial value read about the projects in full. King Edward Mine of the economy.

ERDF is currently being used to turn In Focus: Frugi & Oxford Innovation ERDF is… the old Count House and Carpenter’s Oxford Innovation delivers the Coaching Shop, both Grade II* listed buildings, into for High Growth Programme offering ready for business nine new workspace units for businesses intensive coaching support for all eligible One of the driving forces behind the working within the knowledge economy businesses from start-up to established workspace developments during the and creative industries sector. Using local enterprises through a predominantly Programme has been the engage- building expertise and materials, the two coaching based service. ment of the private sector and their buildings are currently being refurbished The Oxford Innovation team are pro- willingness to invest in large scale and restored to meet the very highest fessionally trained and qualified coaches developments despite the risks during environmental, access and sustainability who have unique insights into the chal- a recession. One of the successes of standards possible ready for occupation lenges facing growing businesses and this partnership has been the number in April 2015. the type of interventions that will deliver and diversity of the developments, The King Edward Mine Workspace enduring results. They are available to all of which have been completed to Project is the result of several years of support businesses with ambition, seeking schedule and are either full, or actively planning and consultation and is the first welcoming new tenants to their sites. of two major capital developments on the site that Cornwall Council is working ERDF is… on. The second focuses on conserving the museum buildings, creating more regenerating our heritage exhibition space, enhancing the visitor ERDF has helped enable refurbishments experience and turning what used to be of historic buildings and the regeneration the Assay Office complex into a cafe for of key areas to ensure the region’s cultural visitors to the site by Spring 2016. Find and artistic heritage can prevail whilst out more about the workspace units Peter Haycock from OI with Lucy Jewson also encouraging new economic growth. @smithsgore.co.uk

22 ERDF Convergence www.businesscornwall.co.uk Business Cornwall Magazine - November 2014 to grow and thus drive forward the econ- and knowledge. Our Superfast Corn- omy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. wall programme is one of the largest More information on the programme, rural rollouts of superfast fibre optic the methodology and the positive impact infrastructure projects in Europe during on businesses can be found at www. the Convergence period. Superfast growcornwall.co.uk probably had the most direct effect on “One of the crucial lessons I have learnt the entire population of C&IoS as 95% is that a business can actually be at its of the region will be upgraded. www. most vulnerable when it is experiencing superfastcornwall.org a period of growth. The pace of change Professor Anne Carlisle can have an adverse impact on individuals In focus: Connecting our remotest within the team while methods of work- places, the Isles of Scilly ing that once proved perfectly successful incorporated, investible companies. Work over Summer 2014 saw the comple- may no longer be fit for purpose. Peter Forging the growth of digital games in tion of the engineering work to lay the and his colleagues (OI) have used their Cornwall, the UK and worldwide through fibre optic cable to the islands as part expertise to guide us through the process the generation of high-value business, of the Superfast Cornwall programme. and ensure we are well placed to capi- Alacrity is based on tried and tested The on-island engineering work is now talise on our growth potential.” – Lucy methodology. www.falmouth.ac.uk complete and residents and businesses Jewson, Managing Director of Frugi. Chris Weavill a student on the ERDF will be able to place an order this month, Alacrity Falmouth course: to receive their superfast fibre broadband ERDF is… “Before I joined Alacrity Falmouth I service. Until now, the 2,200 residents was enrolled on a BSC Hons at Stafford- of the Isles of Scilly have relied upon a innovative shire University doing Computer Games broadband service provided by a radio link Using European investment we have Design and Programming. This involved between Lands’ End and the islands. This been able to create the right environ- doing both game modelling design and ambitious project will have a far reaching ment to allow people and businesses programming to creating game engines positive effect on the lives of people living new opportunities through Higher features and mechanics. and working on the Isles of Scilly. Education, research and innovation. The idea of running my own company “The project fits perfectly with BT and while working on a project I am passion- Superfast Cornwall’s strong reputa- In focus: What Cornwall has to ate about was an opportunity too good tion for innovation and environmental offer business thanks to Higher to pass on. While also being able to work awareness. It emphasises the leadership Education towards obtaining a Masters in Entrepre- role that the Superfast Cornwall partner- “Convergence has definitely been about neurship as well as working as a com- ship is playing in showing how superfast investing in research and innovation. If we pany director and project manager. broadband and its benefits can be taken want to become more competitive and Alacrity Falmouth offers a wealth to remote places in a way which would exploit growing market opportunities it of knowledge every day. If there aren’t have been unimaginable in the quite is essential to develop really good links meetings with experienced mentors from recent past. It also shows the necessity between businesses and Higher Educa- the industry there are presentations, of the public and private sectors working tion. The combined strengths of Fal- talks or meet ups happening around together to bring superfast broadband mouth, Exeter and Plymouth Universities the office. It is a very lively environment to more challenging locations.” – Jeremy can supply top grade students who can which appeals to me. Steventon-Barnes, Superfast Cornwall help expand the network of cross working In the future our team will find invest- Operations Director for BT. in the Innovation Centres and the research ment for our product and incorporate as facilities such as the European Centre for a business. Expanding our reach and staff Environment and Human Health and the we will keep our values strong and make Environment and Sustainability Institute to our difference on the gaming industry.” name just two. Crucially however, these students can engage and work with the ERDF is… private sector to lead them into careers which wouldn’t have been possible in making digital connections Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly just a few During Convergence we helped short years ago, and career opportunities improve the connectivity of Cornwall like that make me proud of our achieve- and the Isles of Scilly with the rest of Superfast broadband cable laying ments.” – Professor Anne Carlisle, the world through trade, technology Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Falmouth University. ERDF has recently invested in Alac- Want to learn more about the 2014-2020 Programme? Sign up for the ERDF rity Falmouth, an innovative graduate newsletter on www.erdfconvergence.org.uk and follow us on twitter programme designed to place talented @convergencenews as updates about the next Programme will be coming… graduates in teams that incubate into

Business Cornwall Magazine - November 2014 www.businesscornwall.co.uk ERDF Convergence 23