Most southerly cafe tenants leave after 30 years

Peter Hendy stacked the chairs for the last time at the end of last week's half-term

A family that set up and has run the most southerly cafe in mainland Britain has handed back its lease after 30 years.

Polpeor Cafe at Polpeor Cove on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall opened in 1994, and has been run by Peter Hendy and his family since.

A petition to retain the staff and keep the café open has so far gained more than 1,600 signatures.

The National Trust, which owns the site, thanked the family and said it will "take time to consider options for the site".

'Iconic spot'

Of his time spent working at the vantage point looking out to sea, Mr Hendy, 73, said: "You never know what you're going to see.

"We've had the Fastnet race go past, the sea life, the seals, the basking sharks, whales and dolphins and the choughs of course - the original pair actually nested just over there.

"Thirty years is a long time to work in one spot, but what an iconic spot. It's an office that anyone would die for really."

The petition calls for the National Trust to "keep Polpeor Cafe operational, maintain the lease themselves, thereby securing the employment of the current staff".

It adds: "Peter did a fantastic job for 30 years but I just want it to stay the same and I'd hate it to be the same as all the National Trust cafes... hopefully not change it too much."

The cafe enjoys stunning views from Lizard Point

The National Trust confirmed the tenants had "decided they wish to end their tenancy".

In a statement, it said: "The family who have successfully run the cafe for over 30 years will be greatly missed and the National Trust wishes to extend their thanks and best wishes for their future.

"The trust will now take time to consider future options for the site, but we envisage it remaining a cafe."

Peter Hendy and his daughter Victoria looking out from the cafe

'Such a lovely family'

Tasha Williams worked at the cafe as a teenager

Tasha Williams worked at the cafe 30 years ago soon after it opened, when she was a teenager.

She said: "I worked for five seasons

"They're such a lovely family and now my 14-year-old daughter works there.

"It's really lovely that I was here at the beginning and she was here at the end."