FAQs

Who is responsible for Grant for Business Investment in England (GBI) grant funding?
The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) is responsible for administering GBI in Cornwall, including appraising applications and awarding grants.

 What is InvestinCornwall?

Cornwall Pure Business was designed as a red carpet service to target and attract inward investment in key sectors through a coordinated one stop service for businesses. The service brings together all marketing and support activity for inward investment to promote a clear and positive image of the county as a place to do business. InvestinCornwall has been developed to work in close liaison with Business Link, the South West Regional Development Agency, the Combined Universities in Cornwall and the range of other business support initiatives which are available in the county.

What are the transport links like in Cornwall?  Is it difficult to travel to and from the County?  
Cornwall now has dual-carriageway access to the whole of the UK, with typical journey times of 3.5 hours from Bodmin to Birmingham and 4.5 hours from Truro to London. First Great Western is the mainline train operator serving Cornish destinations. Typical journey times are 4.5 hours From Truro to London Paddington and 4.5 hours from Bodmin to Birmingham. 

Air Southwest, Flybe, Ryanair, Jet 2, Skybus, Lufthansa and BMI Baby all operate services out of Newquay Cornwall Airport.   The Airport offers 16 different destinations from / to the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Spain with seven different airlines (some of these routes are seasonal).

Air Southwest operate daily fights between Newquay and London Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds Bristol, Plymouth, Jersey, Dublin and Cork.  Ryanair offer daily flights to London Gatwick.  There are also regular aeroplane, helicopter and sea services between mainland Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

What business services are available to someone wishing to relocate to Cornwall?
InvestinCornwall acts as a one-stop shop for businesses looking to relocate. We provide a one-to-one service which will help investigate all your requirements. Cornwall offers a variety of other business services, specialising in specific fields ranging from financial advice to IT training and support. For links to some of these agencies please click here.

What is Convergence?

Convergence is the new European economic regeneration programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that runs until 2013.

Convergence is investing in activities that will have a long-term impact on the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will help to build a stronger more diverse economy by supporting businesses and helping people into employment and those in work gain new and up to date skills. This will include work with higher education to promote business friendly research and innovation.

Convergence consists of two funds European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) and the details of these are found in the contracts with Europe - the Operational Programmes.

There is a range of support available to businesses. To find out more go to: www.convergencecornwall.com