Experts sad over closure of iconic farm attraction

Dairyland near Newquay was set up in 1975 but will close for good in November

Tourism experts in Cornwall have said they are "really sad" about the closure of an "iconic" farm attraction that has been running since 1975.

Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay, announced it will close for good after half-term due to suffering a "significant financial loss every year" and an "ongoing increase" in operating costs.

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, said the attraction has been "part of the institution of tourism in Cornwall for 50-years".

"This is a casualty that we hadn't expected and it is so sad," he said.

A tourism boss said it is an "icon gone"

On Wednesday, the attraction announced on its website it would close for the final time on Sunday 3 November.

"The business was taken over literally just before Covid and that issue didn't really give them any chance, just as they were doing it up and reinvesting in the business," Mr Jones said.

He said a "perfect storm" of Covid, energy bills, staff shortages and bank interest rates have affected the whole sector and left many businesses "hanging on by their finger nails".

'An icon is gone'

Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, Visit Cornwall chairman Malcolm Bell said "lots of childhood memories" were made at the attraction.

"An icon is gone", he said, adding it was "really sad to see this one go".

He explained all attractions generally need reinvestment "every two or three years" to avoid "a vicious downward spiral".

"But that's easier said than done" he said.

"You've got to have commitment and you've got to be successful to raise the money to keep investing."