Exhibits have had to be broken down at a St Mawgan aviation attraction being forced to close.
Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre based at Cornwall Airport Newquay states it has had to make the drastic move after Cornwall Council advised it would have to clear the site by Tuesday, April 11 or its agent would ‘make arrangements for them to be disposed of.”
Various historical relics will have to be put outside in the wind and rain despite there being two empty hangers on the estate.
The aviation museum is now appealing to any individuals or organisations who could help with transport or temporary storage nearby to contact them urgently.
Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre was certain it had fixed the threat to their future when local landowner and businessman Rundle Weldhen offered a new site alongside the airport and entrepreneur philanthropist Mark Lancaster (SDL Ltd/SDL Foundation) pledged £1million for the relocation project.
Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre and Mark Lancaster were in negotiations to remain at the current premises and trade until December 2023 to raise additional funds and prepare the new site for the relocation project but, as of March 24, this request was allegedly flatly refused even though the airport and council have not published any plans for the existing premises once the site has been vacated.
New owners are being found for the majority vintage aircraft despite the tight timeframe.
More than 50,000 people have supported Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre’s plea for help at the change.org website.
Read the full article in next week's Voice newspaper