Keeping it local – Cornish produce, suppliers & partnerships
16th August 2024
At Polmanter, we’re all about celebrating what makes Cornwall special. Park owners Phill and Becki were both born and raised in Cornwall, and are committed to using as many local producers, suppliers, tradespeople and staff as possible at Polmanter, as well as supporting local organisations and charities.
Polmanter was originally a dairy farm, and over the years, many Cornish men and women have been involved in building it into the site that we know today. We believe that valuing our local trades and resources not only helps to preserve the rich heritage of Cornwall but also ensures that our community thrives. By partnering with local suppliers and craftsmen, we’re able to support the local economy, reduce our environmental impact, and offer our guests an authentic experience that truly reflects the spirit of Cornwall.
Our latest local project
The most recent project – the Stable Bar restaurant renovation – was completed with exclusively Cornish contractors, from the architect, main contractor Symons Construction, the oak beam design and fabrication by Post and Beam, to the the plumbers, electricians and decorators and local window, electrical and plumbing suppliers, who all helped to bring the vision to life.
A key motivator for the project was improving the comfort and energy efficiency of the space, with an insulated roof and new windows to help keep cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The former conservatory frame was even recycled, by sending it to find a new home with our neighbours at Trink dairy!
Local photographers Kiss Photography then captured the first shots of the new space, followed by a professional staged shoot coordinated by Cornish wedding and event planners Out of the Ordinary and a host of local suppliers including Checkered Photography, Charmain Cara Media, Wheal Sara Flowers, Trevarno Event Hire, Red Robin Pantry, Rocha Weddings stationary, Cornish Celebrants, The Bridal Studio Helston, Cornwall Suitroom, Makeup by Najat, and Justin Duance Jewellery.
Cornish food and drink
The Stable Bar and Restaurant and the site shop provide another opportunity to showcase Cornish talent, in the form of fantastic local food and drink suppliers.
Wherever possible in the restaurant menu, local produce and wholesalers are used to enable guests to experience the best the County has to offer.
Partnerships with producers including Moomaid of Zennor ice cream, St Ives Liquor Company, Trewithen Dairy, Etherington’s Meats, Prima Bakery, Tan Dowr vodka, alongside Cornish wholesalers Plough to Plate and St Austell Brewery provide a wealth of delicious local offerings from breakfast sausages in the shop and restaurant, biscuits, chocolate, chutneys and other take-home treats in the shop, and a dazzling array of Cornish tipples in The Stable Bar!
Shop managers Trudi and Dave have introduced take-away Cornish cream tea boxes and pick and mix Cornish gift packs this season, which have taken pride of place alongside gift boxes from Tarquins gin, Cornish Sea Salt and The Cornish Larder, to make it even easier to take home a taste of Cornwall!
Read more about the products on offer in our site shop here.
Local partnerships
Other projects using local trades and suppliers have included the shop and reception redevelopment in 2018 – again working with St Ives-based Symons Construction, and Post and Beam from nearby Carbis Bay; the enhancements to the swimming pool and patio in 2021 with Apex pools and AP Paving; and our large solar panel project in 2019 with ZLC energy, several stunning landscaping projects around the site and self-catering properties with Hortus Design and Landscaping, bus service to St Ives by Royal Buses, Relax and Revive’s amazing treatments in our spa, innovative recycling by Flotsam Flo, and web and print design support from Hayle-based Design by Channel.
Keeping it local is all part of our commitment to sustainability!
Partnerships with the South West Coast Path association, St Ives eBikes and Global Boarders surf school, bring additional experiences for guests, and Polmanter also support local charities and organisations including Cornwall Hospice Care, St Ives Food Banks, St Ives Rugby club, the RNLI, Edward Hain Community Project, St Ives Chernobyl Children Life Line and many more.
