Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre at Newquay airport to close

An aviation heritage centre in Cornwall says it will close after its lease was terminated by the council.

Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre will have to vacate premises at Cornwall Airport Newquay in March 2023.

The centre, staffed by volunteers, has been running for seven years and operates as a tourist attraction as well as an educational centre.

Cornwall Council said it was "not responsible for the operation of a private business".

The heritage centre is near the Spaceport site which is hoping to launch the first satellite from the UK.

A spokesperson for the aviation centre said: "All of this amazing amenity and opportunity will be lost. Jobs will be destroyed.

"Valuable and historic aircraft of all sizes will have to be scrapped because of the prohibitive cost of road transport. The opportunity to inspire and educate Cornwall's future generations will be lost."

It said 60 retired volunteers will lose a "vital part of their lives".

Richard Spencer-Breeze from the centre said: "We have tried every possible way to resolve this with no luck."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "Cornwall Council and Cornwall Airport Newquay are not responsible for the operation of a private business and securing a site on which to operate is the responsibility of the management of the centre.

"Cornwall Council has made it clear to CAHC that we will consider assisting them to move to a new location when a credible, costed and deliverable proposal has been developed. However, this remains the responsibility of the centre."

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