These units will deliver the right infrastructure in the right location to enable small and medium enterprises to set up permanent bases and provide year-round support to Salcombe's marine industry.
A full range of marine businesses will occupy the commercial units to support Salcombe's marine needs. The first businesses, The Wolf Rock Boat Company and Salcombe Rigging Services are now operating from their new premises. Three more businesses will join them this summer.
Sarah Jane McCarthy, Managing Director at The Wolf Rock Boat Company said: "We are delighted to be awarded a unit at Schooner Court. We are now better placed to service our customer needs more effectively and look forward to working even closer with our trade partners. This acquisition has enabled us to extend our retail showroom in Churchstow which now houses 5 boat brands that we import into the UK. By having a diverse range of products and services we are also able to attract a talented and experienced workforce that in turn can offer support to our apprentices by offering them in-house training in conjunction with South Devon College."
Neil Gledhill, Managing Director, Salcombe Rigging Services said: "Our commercial unit is in a prime position by the slipway where many people who own a boat pass our way. We cater from anything from small dinghies to super yachts, and we also have our launch on the water year-round so can visit yachts anywhere in the harbour. After operating out of a vehicle for 20 years, it is fantastic that we now have a permanent home in Salcombe, which means we can better support both the local and visiting marine economy."
Our Leader, Cllr Julian Brazil; Chief Executive, Andy Bates; and Ward Member for Salcombe and Thurlestone, Cllr Mark Long visited the site on 19 July 2023 to welcome the new businesses and take a look around the completed purpose-built units.
Leader, Cllr Julian Brazil said: "In recent years, rising property prices has led to fewer waterfront commercial spaces being available for small and medium enterprises. This has forced businesses to move away from central waterside locations, which delays their opportunities for growth.
"In the past, we've also seen more non-marine businesses moving into the area - a trend I'd like to reverse. Building more industrial units such as these is key to keeping areas such as Island Street purely focused on the marine industry to help secure its long-term future."
"It's great to see how these local businesses will benefit from this important development and how it will support Salcombe as a coastal community."
Ward Member for Salcombe and Thurlestone and Chair of Salcombe Harbour Board, Cllr Mark Long, said: "This is great for the Salcombe community, these long awaited additional marine related work units, support a skilled workforce, providing for new employment opportunities.
"The design of this development has also been carefully considered to sit well in the area, providing flexible workspace, but also to keep our community as safe as possible when vehicles are moving around in this busy area.
"We are confident that this development will help boost the local economy, enable these small businesses to meet the demands of customers, support expansion and ensure the long-term viability of new and existing businesses in Salcombe, particularly in the winter months."