TALKS are continuing to ensure the future of the Mission building in Newlyn.
The Fishermen's Mission plans to hand over the running of the building within the next few years in a bid to better concentrate the charity's funding on fishermen's welfare.
Newlyn's harbour commission has confirmed it is looking at ways to make sure the centre stays in the hands of the community.
"I have got some plans from the Mission to see what options we could fit into this building," said Juliet Taylor, chair of the commission's assets committee. Commissioners are looking at ways to keep the centre's popular canteen open by renting out office space to other organisations in the port.
"We are moving forward on this project; we are looking at how we can make that building financially viable by possibly bringing in outside agencies like the Marine Management Organisation," she added.
Progressing
The Fishermen's Mission announced plans to shut its national centres in October, blaming falling income. Those behind the centre say it has been running at a substantial loss for years.
As well as a cafe for the community, the premises at North Pier also provides a chapel and basic accommodation facilities for fishermen.
Superintendent Keith Dickson supports the plans, saying that withdrawing from the centre will leave him more time to focus on the charity's work in ports in the local area. In January, the Mission's chief executive Dan Conley told The Cornishman the charity was not in any hurry to dispose of the building, which was bequeathed by the Bolitho family in 1911. The Fishermen's Mission holds its annual meeting on April 6 when the time-frame for disposing of its buildings will be discussed.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN