A Cornish business that specialises in food and drink has set sights on Falmouth as the location for its fifth store.

Cornish Cream, owned by Mike Pearce, is aiming to become part of the community, hiring local people for the building work, employing locals to work in the shop, and using local suppliers.

Work is well underway for the opening in May as Cornish Cream takes over the former Hawkshead shop on Market Street.

The business was set up in Newquay by Mike's parents in 1968 and has gone on to become one of the longest-standing retailers on the high street.

Mike took over 12 years ago and has seen Cornish Cream continue to flourish adding shops in St Ives, Charlestown, and Mevagissey.

The business offers a variety of its own products.

He told Nub News:

"Although the business was evolving, we still held onto those core principles. Having something completely unique on the high street, offering exceptional customer service, and looking after every single customer we have. The amount of recurring business we have is just unbelievable.

"We specialise in the retail of high-quality food and drink  - but we want things that are different from what people would find elsewhere."

Cornish Cream stands out from the crowd with a whole range of its own products including cream liqueurs, truffles, ice cream, and preserves, among many others.

They also stock several Poldark-themed products after being granted rights to the name. The company has a collaboration with a distillery just outside of St Austell that produces their range of spirits including Poldark Gin sold in pottery bottles.

One of the Poldark themed products Cornish Cream offers.

One of the main things that Cornish Cream is known for is cream tea by post. Customers can visit one of the shops and take a cream tea home as a gift, or they can fill out a form and it'll be sent to their doorstep (anywhere in the UK).

Especially during lockdown, you might have seen a lot of businesses offering cream tea by post. In fact, Cornish Cream led that trend way back in the '70s.

"Everyone thinks it is a really fashionable thing now, but actually it was one of our core pillars," Mike commented.

Cornish Cream led the way for cream tea by post.

Mike says there is a heavy focus on being involved in the community and getting to know the people:

"As a company, we aren't soulless. It is not like a national chain where we will roll out ten stores and forget what towns they're in. We become part of the community."

Discussing the expansion into Falmouth, Mike added:

"Everything we do is customer-led. When we do events at Christmas, we ask the customer what they want to see next. Over hundreds of conversations, a trend builds. There have been so many customers that have been asking us when we are opening in Falmouth.

"I see a gap in the market in Falmouth for Cornish Cream. To have a business where you can buy luxury truffles, cream teas by post, or get some luxury Cornish ice cream. I don't think there is anywhere like that in Falmouth. We feel the local customer base that live here will really welcome it as a positive addition to the town.

"People can expect the best-looking shop, the best customer service, and the best experience."

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