Ahead of millions of tourists descending on the region, one major shopping centre in Cornwall has had a major revamp with a host of new shops and restaurants opening. CornwallLive reports Wharfside, a commercial hub in the beautiful coastal town of Penzance, has welcomed a number of new independent businesses in recent months, with more on the horizon.

Tourism across Cornwall is looking to bounce back this year after numbers across the county hit a 10-year-low last year. There's also been a £30 million funding injection into the town as part of the Penzance Renaissance initiative. Wharfside has welcomed the team at Cork & Fork restaurant and wine bar to its new location in the shopping centre. The family-run business, which first opened in the town in 2021, serves an array of seafood dishes and fresh produce from local farms and businesses. 

Now, two more restaurants will soon join them at the site as they prepare for opening. Thai Moon is set to open the doors to its new venue at Wharfside which will serve authentic Thai food to locals and tourists alike as it has done since first opening in 2006. This will be joined by Fred’s Microbrewery, which will serve up fresh pizzas and authentic micro-brewed ales.

The Wharfside Shopping Centre first opened in 1999 and for many years it was a hotspot for well-known chain stores in Penzance – as well as a few local independent shops and eateries. However, it became somewhat rundown in 2019/2020 after several shops closed, leaving the centre a shell of its former self for many years.

Since 2024, the Wharfside has undergone many exciting changes with new independent retailers and restaurants regularly popping up.

The Wharfside PZ website says: “With the arrival of the Penzance Renaissance and over £30million of funding for our town, they are all likely to thrive and flourish further. We’re proud to be a part of this success. 

“In fact, we’ve played an active role in transforming our town’s retail fortunes. From the early 2020s, the Wharfside team began a plan to encourage independent businesses to choose our centre, by dividing up some of our larger units into spaces suitable for local retailers. The effect has been transformative on the centre and played its part in spreading a growing ‘PZ positive’ message across the town.”

Other outlets at Wharfside shopping centre include: Beautique Beauty Salon, Card Factory, Cork & Fork Restaurant, Freddie's Proper Sweets, Helly’s Bistro, HS Functional Fitness, Hunter and Walsh Hairdressers, and Iceland Frozen Foods.

The centre also enjoys a prime and convenient location as it’s just a few paces from the Harbourside Car Park, the biggest in Penzance, and less than a five-minute walk from the train and bus stations. Escalators provide easy access between levels and a spacious lift is available to disabled visitors and parents with pushchairs.