Harbour Lights fish and chip take away and restaurant in Falmouth has reopened after a month-long refurbishment.

Design, build and tech teams, who worked right down to the wire, shared a proud moment as they gathered together with more than 100 friends, customers and the extended Fraser family, to celebrate the fruits of their labours.

From the hand-printed wallpaper designed, along with the whole Harbour Lights brand by Helston-based Rose Robinson, to Natasha Ratcliffe’s cast-bronze fish (containing Cornish tin) which swim along the restaurant’s new granite pavement, the attention to detail - and to fun - was the marvel of the party.

“We wanted to create a Harbour Lights interior which absolutely lives up to our wonderful food and staff – and the amazing view of Falmouth Harbour outside,” said Pete Fraser who has owned and run the award-winning restaurant with his wife Sue and their family for the last 15 years.

“People travel from far and wide to eat here and this is our big thank-you to them all. We wanted the kitchen and facilities to be beautiful and immaculate and the restaurant to be a bit quirky and fun but also cool – and I think we’ve managed to do it.”

In fact two couples who make a weekly pilgrimage for the full Harbour Lights experience were the VIP guests invited to cut the ribbon. For ten years Pat and Brian Davies have been travelling the 45 mile round trip by bus from Goldsithney every Saturday, and Pat and Mike Heslop, who drive over each Tuesday from Truro, but used to make a 55-mile round-trip from their previous home in Gorran Haven.

Mike spoke for them all when he said: “It’s just like being part of a big warm Harbour Lights family– it’s so friendly. 

“We’ve always loved the buzz of Falmouth and being able to come here and eat the best fish and chips you’ll find anywhere looking out at this wonderful view is one of life’s great treats.”