Search for new provider to take over outdoor education centre in Cornwall

The site at Porthpean near St Austell will be on a leasehold and a restricted covenant protects its use

Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre
Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 24th Apr 2022

Searches are underway to find a new provider to take over the running of an outdoor education centre in Cornwall.

The Porthpean site, near St Austell, will be marketed on a leasehold basis and has a restricted covenant on title which protects its use as an outdoor education centre.

Following the Cabinet decision on March 23rd, it was agreed that Cornwall Outdoors would cease to operate the existing provision at the end of July.

Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Barbara Ellenbroek, said: “We have faced some tough decisions over the last few months with our finances under enormous pressure due to the combined effects of the pandemic and a rise in demand for frontline services such as adult social care.

“We also understand the importance of good outdoor education for young people in Cornwall and we are hoping to secure a new provider who can make Porthpean more viable. There has already been interest about this, and we look forward to exploring those options.”

Local Member for Mevagissey, which includes the site at Porthpean, James Mustoe said: “Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre is a strategic asset for Cornwall with so much untapped potential. It is clear from the feedback received through the consultation, as well as significant interest received from potential operators, that this is an important site for young people across Cornwall.

“It also fulfils a wide variety of other functions to support the wider outdoor activity economy and is a key part of the nearby and popular Porthpean Beach.

“I look forward to working with any of the interested parties to ensure a sustainable future for the site and I am hopeful that a new provider can take it to the next level.”

There have been some pre-market enquiries which it is hoped will transfer into confirmed expressions of interest over the coming weeks.

For more information please contact the letting agent Vickery Holman.

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.