Cornwall in Focus News

Falmouth and the Stein Effect

Published 23 Jan 10 11:24

You may have already read about how celebrity chef and TV personality Rick Stein has transformed the North Cornwall town of Padstow into a highly desirable seaside location, now with top restaurants, excellent bistros and delicatessens, not to mention some superior hotels and quality bed & breakfasts.

Rick himself, as I'm sure you are aware has four restaurants, one bistro, one deli, one bread shop and a cookery school - Not a bad catch in a fishing town of just 3,200 souls. His most recent venture was to become the landlord of the Cornish Arms in the nearby village of St. Merryn, offering, as you might expect, better than average pub grub. He is hoping this will land him his next foodie success.

The next pearl in his empire will be forty miles away: He wants to open an oyster bar in Falmouth's main square. Presently still only at the planning stage, his idea involves opening an oyster bar along with a fish and chip restaurant and also a takeaway/shop. Currently the greatest interest in this venture is coming from Falmouth's estate agents. As one national newspaper recently put it, mention of Rick Stein's interest in a location makes house prices "rise quicker than a goat's cheese souffle".

Falmouth has lots to offer the tourist. The area has several beaches, ranging from shingle through to golden sand; excellent walking opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as a large selection of pubs and restaurants, many with a nautical feel. Falmouth is well placed to visit the picturesque Lizard and Roseland Peninsulas as well as the idyllic Helford River with its wonderful hidden creeks and coves.

Falmouth has grown rapidly in the last few years with the arrival of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in 2003 and the opening of the University College Falmouth (UCF). The College alone has almost 3,000 students and staff. All these people need to live somewhere and house prices and rents have risen in line with this demand. The arrival of UCF has turned Falmouth from a summer hoilday resort into a place to visit (or stay) the whole year round. There are several neighbouring villages and hamlets which are also seeing interest from prospective buyers as they cast their net ever wider to get that 'perfect property'.

House prices are bucking the national trend with areas such as the Port Pendennis complex, evolving from what some though initially to be a 'white elephant' into one of the areas most sought after locations. Plans are also being made to improve the marina area further. Falmouth has one of the largest and best natural harbours in the world and its addition on the cruise liners itineraries can only help publicise the place. There are a number of daily flights to and from London from Newquay Cornwall Airport just 30 miles away, bringing this part of Cornwall closer for all.

Will Rick's plans come to fruition? For Falmouth's sake lets hope so. It will truly thrust Falmouth into the limelight it deserves and make it into a highly desirable place to live, work and visit.