Fury over plans for The Old Ferry Inn in Cornwall

Plans to transform the historic The Old Ferry Inn in Bodinnick have seen opposition rise with 200 objectors.

The inn, which is next to Daphne du Maurier’s family home, already has permission to convert part of it into a residence.

Now the owner wants to convert another part of the inn into housing, while keeping a smaller pub at the back.

Landlord Paul Worswick said: “Unfortunately you can’t expect your local small village pub to stay open while you don’t spend money in it.”

Alaister Shackerley, whose family has lived in Bodinnick for generations, is angry at the plans.

“The Old Ferry Inn is the cornerstone of the community, it’s an asset to the community,” he said.

“Ultimately the proposal is to remove the best parts of the pub so the views (across the Fowey Estuary) will disappear, the terrace area outside will be removed,” Mr Shackerley said.

Royce Smith has run The Old Ferry Inn for more than 17 years and said it is a successful business open 356 days a year.

“Two-thirds of the inn wants to be sold as residential accommodation,” he said.

“After running the inn for all these years, I believe that what will remain will no longer be a viable proposition. Eventually it will go away and the local community will be without a pub,” Mr Smith said.

Alison Fogg is passionate about the historical significance of The Old Ferry Inn.

“This dates back to the Saint’s Road. The south coast was an ancient route on which Celtic trade continued, we traded by sea,” she said.

“The maritime history of the Old Ferry Inn by the (Bodinnick) Ferry is remarkable,” Ms Fogg said.

“People take pictures of the Ferry Inn all over the world so it’s used to sell Cornwall so you don’t strip it and throw that away,” she said.

Landlord Paul Worswick said this was not a request to close the pub.

“Of the nearly 200 objections received to date, perhaps 20 people have come to the pub more than once a month in the last 12 months and while I greatly appreciate their support, it is not enough to support a business trying to survive at ridiculous costs. increases in energy, food, wages and other costs,” he said.

“I understand that the main supporters of the pub are concerned about the future of the pub, however it is hard to understand the other 180 objectors who do not support or spend any money in the pub.”