Cornwall tourism and retail site put up for sale
APOPULAR tourist attraction and retail centre in Cornwall has gone on the market for £2.5 million.
Cornwall Gold and Tolgus Mill – the last working Victorian tin mill in Cornwall – is for sale as a going concern or with vacant possession.
The 18-acre site, between Redruth and Portreath, is being marketed by Exeter-based Christie & Co.
Cornwall Gold – instantly recognisable for the huge statue of Cornish miners at the entrance – boasts the largest jewellery showroom in the Duchy. It is home to the largest collection of pearls in Cornwall.
The business also includes a jewellery workshop as well as associated businesses such as The Bear Works, where children can create cuddly bears; Create & Paint pottery; and the Cornish Pantry restaurant, which hit the headlines a few years ago when it started serving cooked breakfasts on traditional mining shovels.
The historic Tolgus Mill allows visitors to see how rock from local mining waste was pulverised by huge stamping machines. The ongoing restoration project has allowed people to learn about the machinery and explore the ingenuity and human stories behind the working link to Cornwall’s past of its kind.
The future of the mill may now be in doubt, with the sale of the property. The agents’ description reads: “Cornwall Gold and Tolgus Mill is run by our clients as a year-round visitor attraction, restaurant and retail destination.
“The site incorporates a range of mainly modern buildings which have been built in recent years, as well as older buildings containing the Grade II listed mill works. Overall, the site has been exceptionally well-maintained and is presented in excellent condition throughout.
“The property lends itself to a range of uses, be it a continuation of our client’s current business model, Cornwall Gold, or a new venture which could occupy the extensive retail space on site.
“Tolgus Mill draws in visitors by offering a fascinating insight into Cornwall’s mining history. Alongside the mill, the attraction offers a range of family fun activities. The Cornish Pantry restaurant and café is popular with visitors and locals alike.”
“Our clients currently run a successful jewellery business from the largest retail unit on site, trading as Cornwall Gold & Cornwall Pearl. Cornwall Gold sells a vast selection of jewellery. The on-site workshop allows customers to design and customise their purchase.
“Three units are currently let to third-party operators on lease or licence agreements. One further unit is currently vacant, having formerly been occupied by another of our client’s businesses.”
The business is run with full-time management in place. Its owners live abroad and, according to the agents, “are not hands-on with the business”.
Cornwall Gold’s owners commissioned a planning appraisal in 2019 on development opportunities that the site might present.
The report concluded that the most likely uses to obtain planning consent would be retail and leisure uses, in line with the use of the existing buildings.
The report also concluded that industrial and business development is considered an option, from a planning point of view. Any development would be subject to planning permission from Cornwall Council.