BUSINESS is booming in one area of South East Cornwall, where a £20-million redevelopment project is helping to boost the local economy with increased visitor numbers and job creation.

This week saw the completion of the work at St Mellion International Resort where 40 new staff have been taken on and turnover has increased by 40%.

Traditionally a haven for golfers, St Mellion, which has a range of other premier sporting and health facilities available to anyone under a membership scheme, is now attracting 65% of non-golfers as staying customers and 28% are corporate guests on business.

The re-opening of the new-look Kernow Course on Monday, the resort's second 18-hole championship golf course, follows the building of a new 80-bed hotel and refurbished clubhouse and facilities. It is now one of the biggest employers in the area with 207 staff on the payroll, bringing an estimated £3.5-million into the economy each year.

Resort director Stephen Towers said it was not just the resort that was benefiting, but the area generally, with local companies used for everything, from building to food supplies.

'The redevelopment has made a significant difference to business and what we are doing locally,' he said.

'We get fruit and vegetables from Tamar Fruiterers at Saltash and our meat, fish and eggs also come from suppliers in Cornwall and yogurts from Langage Farm, just over the border in Devon.

'Visitors are travelling around the county and spending money and we are involved in a marketing campaign to get more European tourists here.

'St Mellion has a high number of repeat visitors — around 85%. It is our aim is to bring in new visitors and to promote South East Cornwall.

'This part of Cornwall does not get the same recognition and support that West Cornwall does but it has a huge amount to offer, not least the easily accessible location and very good network which makes it good for business.

'There is a very dynamic young business community here with investment being made in industry. There is a really positive vibe for this area.

'It is on the border with Devon so visitors have both Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, great waterside activities on the Tamar and adventure centres, the chocolate box villages of Looe and Polperro and great dining establishments.

'There are world class attractions like the Marine Aquarium in Plymouth and businesses like Princess Yachts and companies who are leading the way in energy conservation.'

Next year will see the return of major golf championship events to St Mellion with the English Open. Once the home of the Benson and Hedges International Open tournament, the resort saw the likes of champion golfers such as Severiano Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus and Sam Torrance competing at the venue. It is no secret that Crown Golf, who own St Mellion, would like to see it back at the top as a world class golfing venue, which in itself will bring tourism to the area.

Mr Towers is passionate about investing in young people and the year 2011 will also see the completion of a tourism academy on site, offering diplomas for 16 to 19-year-olds in conjunction with Cornwall College and community schools in the area.

Cornwall councillor for St Mellion, Jim Flashman, said: 'Any business that brings industry into Cornwall and leisure facilities for everyone to use must be welcomed and encouraged.

'St Mellion is a large accommodation provider and that is something we do not have much of in East Cornwall.

'Now we are now part of a World Heritage area we are attracting a lot of foreign visitors so we need to have places they can stay.

'The leisure business itself is very big and to have a facility of this standard on our doorstep is a great thing.'