TALKS with a cruise firm planning to bring hundreds of tourists to Newlyn have stalled, it emerged this week.
The French company has scrapped plans to make eight scheduled stops in the port over the summer, a move that would have earned the harbour authorities some £7,000.
Instead the cruise liner will head directly to St Michael's Mount to drop off its passengers as part of a tour of Cornish gardens.
In January The Cornishman reported that businesses in the port could be given a boost by the influx of up to 1,600 visitors. One of the pontoons in Newlyn harbour was expressly designed to accommodate a large cruise ship, and there is also a crane in the port to lift disabled passengers ashore.
Harbour master Andrew Munson expressed regret at the last-minute change of heart by tour operators.
He said: "The agents I was dealing with were happy with the arrangements, but unfortunately they have been replaced with new agents and the vessel's itinerary has been altered."
However Mr Munson said visits to Newlyn were not totally off the agenda, and the plans may be salvaged before the start of the summer season.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN