AN IMPASSIONED plea by the people of Penzance was answered by the most powerful man in the country this week.
Prime Minister David Cameron visited the town after The Cornishman wrote and asked him to travel to Penzance and see for himself the efforts of local traders to boost the fortunes of the high street.
Answering the call for help, he learnt about the successes of traders along Causewayhead, the obstacles faced by many businesses locally and met with members of the Penzance Town Team.
"I wanted to come to Penzance because I read very clearly in The Cornishman how much you wanted to talk to me as Prime Minister about the future of the town and what we can do to make sure it continues to be a success story," he said.
"It is great to be here to talk to the Town Team and listen to their ideas so we can make a difference; to make sure we support independent traders, keep our town centres vibrant and get things done."
The Prime Minister arrived in Penzance at 11.30am on Monday morning to be greeted by Cornishman editor Jacqui Walls at the top of Causewayhead.
She led him on a guided walk down the cobbled street, accompanied by Dick Cliffe and Hannah Wallis, from Penzance's Town Team, and prospective Conservative Party candidate Derek Thomas.
Mr Cameron said he was struck by the feel of the cobbled street and the wealth of independent shops.
"The look and feel is fantastic," he said.
"There are so many slightly clone high streets around the country so when you find one which is absolutely buzzing on a Monday morning and has a lot of independent retailers and a lot of choice, and interesting shops, that is great to see.
"But obviously Penzance has its challenges in terms of other parts of the town."
Ms Wallis, who works in Walkers Jewellers and is vice-chairman of the Causewayhead Traders' Association, said the shopping venue was a great example of what could be done if people worked together.
"We are working really hard to keep Causewayhead busy and it shows that if we all work together things are achievable," she said.
"I think it is positive that he came and really good that The Cornishman invited him.
"Now we need to use this to spur us on."
