Nansledan’s Kew An Lergh development has welcomed its first occupiers including a nature focussed nursery school and two of Cornwall’s most exciting media businesses.
Ben Murphy, Estates Director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “It’s fantastic to see these beautiful buildings come to life. The combination of creative media companies, artisan shops and soon, we hope, a new café and wellness studio, are creating a really diverse and exciting focal point for this part of Nansledan, and we’re expecting a lot of interest in the remaining unit.
“Kew An Lergh borders the Newquay Strategic Route which is on target to be completed by late summer next year, forming the main route through Nansledan’s planned Market Street, a new High Street for Cornwall, bringing ever greater vibrancy and vitality to its commercial heart, and helping local businesses thrive.”
Kew An Lergh (Cornish for Way Close, the old field name) is the first standalone commercial development at Nansledan built directly by the Duchy of Cornwall. Construction saw 16 bore holes, each 130m deep, drilled as part of a ground source heat pump system that will reduce annual carbon emissions by around 84% compared with traditional gas boilers.
Naturally Learning nursery school
The first groups of children and their parents explored the purpose-built nursery when it opened its doors in April.
Sarah Hood is Pedagogical Lead at Naturally Learning, which operates the new nursery school. She said she was thrilled to see the first children – and their parents – enjoying the specially designed indoor and outdoor surroundings.
“It’s been lovely to show families around and finally see children exploring the play spaces,” said Sarah. “We have had lots of positive comments from our neighbours at Nansledan and local families. It’s been a great introduction to the community.”
Joining them in the Arts and Crafts style buildings on the same site are two Cornish companies with a national reputation – Beagle Media and Solve digital marketing and web design agency –both now settled into their new offices and loving life in Nansledan.
Beagle Media production company
Beagle Media’s CEO Harry Anscombe, a former producer at ITN and Channel Four News who founded the business in 2011, said: “We’re really excited about what’s to come in Nansledan. We’ve arrived at just the right time in an area that already feels like a strong community. We’re delighted to be a part of it. The office is light, spacious and feels like a professional place we can grow into. We love Newquay, so the location is ideal.”
Beagle Media, which makes documentary series for Channel 4, BBC2 and Discovery, is responsible for a series of high-profile programmes, including Cornwall with Simon Reeve and Cornwall Air 999.
The company employs more than 50 people in London and Cornwall but had outgrown its previous Cornish base. The time had come to move into more suitable and sustainable accommodation.
Solve SEO and web design
Lawrence Harmer is the founder and director of Solve, a multi-award-winning SEO (search engine optimisation) and web design business. The B Corp firm moved from Winnards Perch to Nansledan in 2021, and were previously based in a commercial space near the Shiva Café. Their incredible success and huge growth in clients and staff required a much larger office and so they moved to their new offices in Kew An Lergh in April.
“We really like it here,” said Lawrence. “There’s a nice sense of community in Nansledan. Things already feel very buzzy and we’ve had a real taste of what it’s going to become.”
Lawrence said being located in Nansledan was the perfect fit for Solve’s sustainability and eco-focussed ethos.
The firm – which is currently creating the new Nansledan website – cares deeply about the environmental impact of the digital marketplace and has planted 12,000 trees (so far) through an international scheme called Tree-Nation.
“I like the sustainability aspect of Nansledan – that was a big driving force for us being here,” said Lawrence, adding that Solve’s new offices are already accessorised with around a hundred plants and even a ‘jungle wall’ of green foliage.
“It’s a great office space to be in,” said Lawrence. “We feel like we’ve come here at a real pinnacle moment for the business – we’re in the right place at the right time.”
All pictures by Hugh Hastings.
