Cornwall Council has formally appointed a contractor to carry out works to the Huer’s Hut, one of the most well known landmarks in Newquay.

The Hut, a small stone building perched on the Towan headland in Newquay, is a Grade II* listed building, and a popular attraction with both visitors and local residents. Reputedly dating back to the 14th century, it is believed to be the oldest remaining building in Newquay.

The council has a long-term lease on the building and is responsible for its repair and maintenance. Over the years repairs have been carried out to protect the building from damage against coastal storms, but it is now necessary to carry out more extensive works to protect this important landmark.

Earlier this year a local campaign group was set up to help raise awareness of the importance of the building and to raise funds for its repair.

The council says it has has been working closely with the group and the wider local community to secure the long term future of the building and has successfully bid for a £17,000 grant from the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) and secured a £16,000 contribution from 106 monies to enable essential works to be carried out on the building.

RYEARCH have now been appointed to carry out the scheme, with works expected to take place over the Autumn.

The works, which will include removing the loose lime wash, cement and inappropriate mortar from the stonework and re pointing it with lime mortar; redecorating the building internally and externally with limewash and fixing loose stones on the tops of the walls and castellations, are expected to take four weeks to complete. During this time scaffolding will be erected around the whole building.

Cornwall councillor Geoff Brown said “After many months of negotiation I am delighted that we have now been able to achieve the total restoration of Newquay's iconic Huer’s Hut and at no cost to the local tax payer. The refurbishment of this lime mortar constructed building should ensure its future for many years to come.

“The original building is thought to have dated from 14th century and may have been a hermitage but in the 19th century it was the base for the HUER who guided the local fishing fleet so they could shoot their nets around the vast pilchard shoals which appeared in Newquay Bay”.