"We'll lose everything" - Owners call for support to save Waterside Meadery

Owners of a Penzance Meadery are calling for support to save their venue - which is at risk of being demolished.

The Waterside Meadery opened on the harbour in Penzance in 1970 and is one of three family-run venues across Cornwall.

Emily Stephens, who owns the Meadery alongside her husband Jon, said: "This business has been here for 53 years, it's been part of the family for all of that time, this place has been a community. The heritage would be lost".

"Jon and I will lose everything"

A petition was set up in last year in their first attempt to save the site.

"On face value, the petition wouldn't be enough to save it but it does go to show the support. We hope it'll make them realise we need some help. You can't just close us. We've got 27 people employed here, seven of them are full time".

According to the petition page, as part of the Penzance Town Deal, the building on the harbourside could be demolished to make way for a freight storage shed for the Steamship company.

Emily told us: "Within the Town Deal and all the levelling up, they're on about promoting jobs, hospitality, yet they want to clear out one of the most thriving businesses. If they want to do that, fine, but we just want a bit of help. Try and help us to relocate somewhere. We can't afford that off our own backs".

On the Town Deal site, the plans are to: "Include enhancing the marine facilities for visiting vessels and create a more attractive site for all to enjoy through alleviating the congestion caused by freight vehicles queuing on the roads."

Emily added: "You couldn't take this building and put it somewhere else because it's so unique. It would have to be the right building for it.

"We just want a bit of help"

"It's humbling to have support though, when you're in here working, people are interested, they want to know and they want to save it. We have 8,100 signatures now. Our little business here and people say these such lovely things".

In a post from the Waterside Meadery, they say: "If the council do demolish The Waterside Meadery, not only will 25 people lose their jobs, the owners will lose their livelihood, suppliers will lose thousands of pounds of business and the community will lose their Meadery.

"The knock-on effect is huge"

"The Waterside Meadery is not just a restaurant, it's a West Cornwall institution and a real community concern. It has been a thriving business in Penzance and see in the region on 35k visits a year.. It supports local suppliers and trades and does a good amount of work for charity and community ventures.

"Please help and sign the petition to show that, whilst you support progress for Penzance, you do NOT want The Waterside Meadery to be demolished".

You can find the petition to save the Waterside Meadery here.