Onwards, upwards – and watch the storm

04 January 2002 by
Onwards, upwards – and watch the storm

New Year, new face, new diary - at least, it will be by the time this is being read. I hope your reflections of the year-end are of a boom nature rather than a boot - mine, too. A happy ending means morale and enthusiasm will be high and we can hit the ground running in 2002.

Things in this neck of the woods - St Mawes, a small, tranquil fishing village at the tip of Cornwall's Roseland Peninsula - are looking up, and the future looks very rosy.

Tourism in Cornwall is on the up, having received a massive boost in the shape of the amazing Eden Project. It was a saviour that gave us a cushion from the horrors of foot-and-mouth.

One of the fantastic things about Eden is the return business it is generating. It isn't enough to see it once, as it keeps changing and improving. I should know - I am a Friend of Eden and have been lots of times. It's a fantastic long-term magnet for accommodation providers, and we salute chief executive Tim Smit and his team.

Closer still is another exciting project, the new National Maritime Museum at Falmouth, a hop away from us by ferry or water taxi. It is due to open about June 2002 and the atmosphere, a programme of planned activities, and lots of space to stroll and relax will be a good visitor draw.

But first, we have to pass the test of January and February.

As you can guess, not much happens at this time. We have to bank on our imagination, wits and value-for-money offers. We have a two-rosette restaurant, an award we have held for 11 years, so food is always a draw for a short break.

Storms are not uncommon at this time of the year. Never snow or freezing temperatures, but a fair portion of rain and wind. As we are built into the harbour wall, we get pounded. Waves crash over the terrace walls and hit the windows, and it gets pretty exhilarating.

This natural entertainment, coupled with log fire, cosy, snuggly armchairs, friendly staff and great food, should be enough to help our occupancy levels climb towards the 50%-plus mark - I hope.

Yvonne Scott is general manager of the Idle Rocks hotel, in St Mawes, Cornwall, a privately owned, 27-bedroom property. She has been there just over a year.

Next diary from Yvonne Scott: 14 February

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