The UK seaside town rammed with independent shops as businesses abandon famous neighbour

A seaside town has made a resurgence in recent years and is flying under the radar as a hub for independent shops. While businesses continue to struggle across the UK, the coastal town is bucking the trend, and stores are thriving.

Penzance, the westernmost major town in Cornwall, boasts a wide range of independent shops, galleries and cafes. It also hosts the famous 10-day Golowan Festival, where thousands of people flock to the area for live music, street performances and the theatre. According to local business owners, Penzance has gone from strength to strength in recent years, partly due to increasing costs elsewhere.

Rising rent in nearby St Ives, a holiday hotspot for Brits every year, has prompted some business owners to make the 20-minute move to Penzance. As well as new businesses, this has brought an influx of new shoppers to the town.

"It seems to be a hive of activity at the moment with new shops opening and a lot of shops coming from St Ives to Penzance," Steve Herbert, the owner of Keys and Trophies in Penzance, tells the Daily Express.

"The rents in St Ives are so much more expensive than they are in Penzance so it makes it worth their while to come over this way. And they bring their clients with them which is lovely as they diversify into other shops."

According to property experts from Loop Net, the average asking rent for a shop or retail unit in St Ives is around £21 per square foot. This figure drops to around £17 in Penzance, with some properties offering rent for as low as £5 per square foot.

Keys and Trophies, which cut keys, and supplies and engraves trophies, is located in Causewayhead in the town centre. Mr Herbert, 57, has been working on the pedestrianised street since 2000 and says it is "very up and coming".

He says: "It's like a rollercoaster and every town has it. You have periods of improving and going up before you slump and come up again. We love to see locals come into the shop and luckily they are plenty spending money at the moment."

Emma Ollis, the owner of Pinup Boutique, says the town has had a resurgence in recent times as businesses have moved from St Ives. She bought her shop building on Market Jew Street eight years ago and has seen a change in the high street.

The 51-year-old says: "The high street here has changed over the years. There used to be big chain stores but a lot of those closed down. Then all of a sudden a lot of new independent stores popped up. And they're doing really well."

Elsewhere in Causewayhead is the Lighthouse Gallery, which sells paintings, ceramics, sculptures and jewellery. It is owned by Tracey Spry who puts the success of the town down to support from the community and other businesses.

When asked why shops in Penzance are thriving, the 60-year-old says: "I think it's the variety that the town offers. On the Causewayhead, where we're situated, the majority of shops are local independent businesses. We've got independent book shops, bakers, fruit and veg shops. There's everything really."

She adds: "The local community are very supportive. There's a real sense of community in Penzance. We've got a great core of customers."

Esme Burton, the owner of Circa 21 on Market Jew Street, describes Penzance as a "rough diamond" that is shining due to the hard work of local business owners. Circa 21 is an indepdendent homeware shop that supports a number of Cornwall-based producers.

"Local makers are at the heart of what we do which appeals to the community," the 55-year-old says. "Penzance is like a rough diamond I've always thought. Our town centre shines because of sheer hard work and fantastic friendly customer service. We love where we live and work.

"Regular visitors and locals spending more time and money in the town are our bedrock. It keeps shopkeepers like me surviving."

Businesses throughout the town also support eachother by directing customers around different shops. If a visitor asks where they can get a certain item, the owners don't hesitate in sending them elsewhere.

Izy Phillips, the owner of clothing store Fishboy PZ, explains: "The business community, aside from the customers, is so supportive of eachother. We all look out for eachother because we're all aware that if the other businesses aren't there then the others won't do as well because we need a reason for people to come to the town.

"If there's more shops that attract people then people will stay for longer. If we haven't got what people want but we know somewhere else then we'll direct them to the right place. Or even giving people recommendations for where to get lunch or a coffee."

Mrs Ollis agrees: "People will come into my shop and ask where they can get something, and I'll send them over to someone else's business."

Mrs Spry adds: "I'm always sending people to other shops in the area. Everyone is very generous in supporting each other. It's not a competitive atmosphere - it's a cooperative atmosphere."

The independent shops are also able to give customers a more personalised experience. As opposed to big national chains and online retailers, customers feel more welcomed into the shops in Penzance.

Mrs Ollis said: "If people have got a special event to go to then they come in and we style them from top to bottom. It's much more of a personal service than you get online.

"People can actually come in, feel the fabric, try things on and make sure they fit. You don't get that with the bigger brands and online."

Mrs Phillips adds that being independent "generates a really nice customer feel". The 35-year-old, who has been operating Fishboy PZ with her husband Matt since 2015, explains: "We get to know the people coming through the doors every day. It's a more personal experience."

While Penzance attracts visitors all year round, it is at it's busiest during the peak summer months. Tourists come for the clear blue sea and coastal views - and it seems more and more for its growing band of independent shops.