Seaside town where “tourists are ripped off”

Businesses in one of Cornwall’s most iconic seaside towns are said to be in ‘survival mode’ as a drop in tourism has left swaths of unbooked and empty holiday homes – while the community ‘suffers’ that the locals are struggling to find a home. rent or buy.

Cornwall has long been one of the UK’s most sought-after ‘staycation’ destinations – and this popularity has peaked during the Covid pandemic. The small but perfect town of Porthleven was a seaside community that benefited from the Covid boom.

However, companies are reporting a sharp drop in visitor numbers this year. And the finger of blame has been pointed at “greedy” holiday cottage owners – who charge thousands of pounds a week for their properties.

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Ross Sloan is the head chef at the renowned Kota restaurant in Porthleven’s historic harbor – now home to some of the best restaurants in the UK. This acclaimed restaurant is the flagship restaurant of Jude Kereama – who was a favorite in the BBC’s Great British Menu 2021 and was named ‘Chef of the Year’ in the 2019 Trencherman’s Guide Awards.

Kota boasts three AA Rosettes, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, was named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the Cornwall Life Food and Drink Awards and was one of The Telegraph’s Top 50 UK Summer Restaurants. However, head chef Ross Sloan admits that even Kota has seen a big difference in trade so far this year, the Express reports.

Speaking to the paper, he said: “We’re getting by – but we need to streamline things and downsize. And if we’re busy, we just have to be busy.

“The thing is, we’re very cheap for the quality of our food. Where else can you get a tasting menu as good as ours for £75?

“Other places charge the same prices but don’t offer the same quality. And a lot of businesses – those that rely on tourists – are now in survival mode.

In recent years, big-name chefs – such as Rick Stein and Michael Caines – have opened restaurants in Porthleven, only to close within a year or two. Mr Sloan believes this is because they have relied too much on tourism – which can be a fickle mistress.

“They just don’t do well here,” Mr. Sloan said of these culinary heavyweights. “The restaurants were too expensive – the locals didn’t want to eat there.”

Consequently, local trade is the backbone of Cornwall’s most successful businesses. And Mr Sloan says this year’s drop in tourism is hitting those businesses that rely most heavily on tourism the hardest.

But why has tourism declined? Mr. Sloan reveals a number of factors.

He said the landlords were to blame because they were “greedy”, saying they “raise the prices so much that if people come on holiday they can’t afford to eat out”.

He added that “people can go abroad for a lot less than a holiday here”, and said he believed people “want to get away from this country”.

Mr Sloan’s sentiments are echoed by Kelvin Batt, owner of Shoals Brewery, located in an old boatyard adjacent to the Kota restaurant, and Mussel Shoal in the harbour, which opts for “fun dining” over Kota’s fine dining.

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Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “If you’re a business and you rely on tourists, you’re going to struggle. You need support from the locals to survive.

“My business is much more about local trade – the brewery is about 80% local, trade. Mussel Shoal is about 80% local.”

“Bookings are down – lots of holiday homes are empty. Holiday home owners don’t want people to know about it. I think they’ve become a bit too greedy with the prices.”

“If you spent two grand on a holiday home for a week, you’re not going out to eat every night. The cost of living for everyone has gone up and people just don’t have the money.”

“If you focus on local trade, you’ll be fine – but anyone who depends on tourism will struggle.”

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