Waterside restaurant to make way for HGV park

The Waterside Meadery has operated on Penzance harbour since 1970

One of the oldest restaurants in Cornwall is to be demolished despite more than 11,000 people signing a petition to save it.

The Waterside Meadery, which has operated on Penzance harbour since 1970, will have to move out by June 2025, Cornwall Council's west planning committee agreed.

A meeting heard that a Town Deal grant to allow the meadery to find new premises in Penzance was looking "favourable".

Demolition of the building, which is owned by Cornwall Council Harbours, would help reduce HGV traffic by creating a waiting area and create a more efficient working harbour, councillors were told.

'Iconic business'

Emily Stephens, who runs the business which was started by her father Robin Smith, told councillors: "Demolishing the Waterside Meadery will achieve the loss of a 54-year-old, thriving family business which saw in excess of 44,000 visits in 2023.

“It is an iconic and unique business which plays its part in attracting people to the area."

But former town mayor Dick Cliffe said the harbour was "severely compromised", with limited quayside space, dilapidated buildings and chronic HGV vehicle congestion.

"Please don’t let this become another Penzance harbour missed opportunity," he added.

Councillor Loveday Jenkin said: "I’d like to think that the grant application will enable relocation because it’s cherished by a lot of people in the area and further afield."

The application to demolish the restaurant and resurface West Quay to create an off-road HGV waiting area was approved with eight councillors in favour, one against and one abstention.