A petition set up to “save” a popular restaurant in West Cornwall said to be under threat of demolition has been signed by more than 1,700 people during its first day.

It is in support of the Waterside Meadery in Penzance, which has been described as “not just a restaurant, it’s a West Cornwall institution.”

The meadery is on land that forms part of the Penzance Town Deal, which is made up of seven key projects officially approved by the government, for which £21.5 million of funding has been allocated.

One of these projects focuses on Penzance Harbour, with the deal plan stating: “The regeneration will include enhancing the marine facilities for visiting vessels and creating a more attractive site for all to enjoy through alleviating the congestion caused by freight vehicles queuing on the roads.”

However, the meadery say in doing so this will involve demolishing its restaurant, which has served the local community for close to 53 years, to make way for a storage shed.

Emily Stephens started a petition on Friday, saying: “The Waterside Meadery is a family restaurant nestled on the harbour at Penzance. It opened in March 1970 and has been owned and ran by the same family since.

“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.

“As part of the Penzance Town Deal, the [Cornwall] Council wish to demolish the building to make way for a freight storage shed for the Steamship company.

“The building has been on the harbour for many years. Originally it was clay sheds, then got repurposed into a cafe and after, became The Waterside Meadery.

“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.

“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.”

The petition can be signed in the meadery or online at www.change.org/p/save-the-waterside-meadery-from-being-demolished

Huge numbers of people have already signed the petition and shared it on social media, describing it as a “iconic”, a “wonderful family restaurant” and “full of character and memories”.

One person wrote: “I've been going to this meadery since a child. Perfect for celebrations with family and friends and an iconic part of Penzance. I am dismayed that we risk losing it! The Council has not considered its cultural value.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council told the Packet: “As part of the investment plan for Penzance, the community has expressed a wish to see the town become more focused towards sustainable travel and the needs of pedestrians, as well as a revitalised and thriving commercial harbour.

“Successful bids for Town Deal and Future High Street funding mean the town can progress community-led plans to deliver on these wishes.

“As part of this work, we are currently reviewing operations at the harbour to meet this future need.

“Partners have been in regular contact with the Waterside Meadery since January 2022, and all business owners on West Quay, to discuss potential development options.”

The Packet has also contacted a representative of Penzance Town Deal.