Seadrift restaurant in Porthleven to become an office

Change of use has been granted by Cornwall Council for the ground floor of the Seadrift building in Fore Street, previously a popular restaurant.

It will now become a base for Aspects-holidays, a holiday letting company that has properties in Porthleven.

Laurence Associates, writing on behalf of applicants Worval Holdings Ltd, told the council: “The approval of this application would mean supporting an existing business to provide a regional base within an already well-established setting for the company’s holiday lets.

“The head office for Aspects-holidays is in Hayle, with eight additional regional offices around Cornwall. These are St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Bude, Mevagissey, Falmouth, Wadebridge and Mullion.

“The regional offices support guests whilst they are on holiday and provide a range of management services for property owners.

“Aspects-holidays recently acquired a small agency in Porthleven (Porthleven Harbour Holidays) and they are looking to establish an operational base within the town.

“Aspects-holidays has a parent company, Sapphire Holidays, which is a private company operating three holiday brands, is based in Hayle, and currently employs around 150 people (primarily in Cornwall). This business was in fact founded with three holiday cottages in Porthleven.”

Seadrift was a popular restaurant but has been closed in recent months (Image: Google Street View)

The ground floor will be run as an office managed by three full-time employees, and there will be no change to the use of the first floor.

It was stated in the application that no physical works would take place to the building or surrounding land, with the application only related to its use.

Laurence Associations went on to add: “Whilst this change of use would necessitate the removal of a food and drinks establishment, with a reduction of workers in this sense, it is important to note that the hospitality industry is currently understaffed and therefore it is hoped that this change of use would not adversely impact upon staff in this industry.

“It is important to also note that the current food and drinks establishment is closed and thus there are no current workers at the site.”

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The planning officer at Cornwall Council deciding on the case agreed, granting approval and stating: “The change in use of the ground floor element from a café/takeaway to commercial office space will ensure that an element of commercial space remains at the site, and will not have a detrimental impact to the vitality and viability of Porthleven's town centre.”

Porthleven Town Council gave no objections to the change of use.