A PROMINENT figure in Cornish cricket, Sean Hooper, is embarking on an exciting new venture by rehoming his cricket store in the historic village of Charlestown.

The new Cornish Cricket Company establishment will be located in part of the former Shipwreck Treasure Museum, a site rich in maritime history, but one which closed for good last year.

Earlier this month, The Voice reported how historical items relating to the famous port had been secured by Charlestown History Group following the museum’s closure – and which are now on display at the Pattern Hall on Fridays between 10am and noon or Mondays between 2pm and 4pm.

For Sean, however, there is a real buzz of excitement about setting up a new home for his business which, for 12 years, was located in St Austell’s East Hill, before then moving out to the old Kia showroom at St Stephen.

“I was literally queuing up for a coffee just a few weeks ago at the Short and Strong café where I saw a friend of mine, Dave Harland, and we got talking about the museum,” explained Sean. “We got chatting and I happened to mention about the old Joules shop and said I would love to have that space.

“Ironically, he said they were looking for something to do with it and it’s just developed from there. Now we’re in here, we’re delighted to be here and we’re looking forward to taking the business forward.”

A well-known stop-off for both locals and tourists alike, Sean says he could not have picked a better location to rehome his business.

“It’s absolutely stunning down here, Charlestown is beautiful,” he added. “Over the years we have based our business on cricketers knowing where we are and they just come and find us.

“That will still be the case for those people, but the reality is the footfall we will get now will be something we’ve never had before. It won’t be just local cricketers from Cornwall that we’re attracting, but you’ll have people visiting from all over the country, some of whom will undoubtedly like cricket, who will come in and have a look around.”

Sean set up the Cornish Cricket Company back in 2005 after leaving a teaching role within the county. From there he initially ran a cricket coaching business, creating the Truro College Academy, which is now home to the county’s main cricket centre, and worked as much as he could to earn a living.

It was whilst he was coaching that he realised there was a real demand from players to purchase all forms of equipment.

“That was how Cornish Cricket Company kind of evolved,” continued Sean. “By 2009, Gary Bone joined me in the business and by 2012 we set up the shop in East Hill. It’s just grown from there with the aim now to make it even bigger and better.”

As well as running the business, Sean is also head coach of the Rajasthan Royals Academy Cornwall.