Marks and Spencer Falmouth innovation hub plan lodged

Pentire.Group have put in for pre-application advice to turn the building in Market Street into a space where community events can be held and develop the access by sea in a partnership with Falmouth Harbour.

In its application it says: "We want to provide a space for innovation and growth with different local companies and freelancers coming together in the town centre.

"M&S has a long standing history in Falmouth, being the focal point of the high street for 80 years with quite possibly one of the best cafe views in the South West.

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"Losing it has had a detrimental effect on the high street and we plan to breathe new life into the iconic store and bring the community together.

What the interior could look like. Concept picture Pentire.Group

Working with the town council, Place Shaping Board, Cornwall Council, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, The Civic Society and Falmouth University we plan to make this plot a place to be proud of.

"The project will be the biggest co-working project in Cornwall and the first foodhall pergola roof garden, putting Falmouth on the map and showing that Falmouth is at the forefront of remote working and sustainable development in this new world.

"We are a forward thinking company and have the financial backing to follow through on the project and make it a reality."

Planned works for the 30,000 sq ft site include a pergola roof terrace, foodhall, co-work hub, gym and wellness centre and a couple of Co-Living Units.

What the interior could look like. Concept picture Pentire.Group

The aim is to provide a platform for collaboration, between start up businesses, local chefs, established companies and personal trainers.

"We want to build a community in the heart of Falmouth that feeds the local economy, provides jobs and training and helps Falmouth to grow," says the company.

"Proposed plans involve investing a lot into the town centre, taking a once iconic building and bringing it back into the forefront of the community once more."

The group says it has support from Falmouth Town Council, Falmouth University, the civic society and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners as a partner project for a new marina and pontoon connecting the harbour waterfront.
“After talking with many local officers and councillors, we have a lot of support for the project and have the backing financially to make it possible," it says in its application.
"Talks have started with the Harbour Commission on a joint project to connect the high street to the water, with ideas about extending the walkways and marina whilst offering buoy access services.
"We are in talks with the university about additional office space for the growing number of start up businesses being formed there and helping them nurture, grow and provide jobs for the local community.”
The company has been involved in similar project in Newquay transforming a former fish and chip restaurant into a four storey co-work and innovation hub. It is opening in March.

The application was lodged with Cornwall Council today (February 15).