New tenants sought for Heartlands attraction

The £35m facility at Heartlands closed on 31 January

Cornwall Council is looking for new tenants to manage the site and run the café and soft play area at the Heartlands visitor attraction near Pool.

The £35m facility closed on 31 January after the Heartlands Trust, which ran it, said it could not cover operating costs due to rising bills and falling income.

On Friday the council said receivers would auction the trust's assets, including a bouncy castle.

It confirmed it will continue to maintain the parks and gardens, and that the registration service, offices and shops remain open.

The council is going to invite bids to lease the management and operation of the whole site

Councillor Bob Drew, chairman of Carn Brea Parish Council, said: “I am pleased that this period of uncertainty for residents and tenants has come to an end.”

Cornwall Council said it will invite bids to lease the café and soft play areas soon, as well as for the management and operation of the site as a whole.

It said its preference would be for one operator.