The Year in Review part two: The Packet's biggest stories from July to December

With the start of 2020, we are taking a look back at the biggest stories from the last year.

Click here to read part one if you missed it yesterday.

This is how the Packet reported the biggest stories from July to December of 2019:

July

A PENRYN businessman has shut down his third furniture shop reportedly leaving customers thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Customers turned up at Cornwall Homestore in Kernick Industrial Estate last week to find that the shop had shut with no notice.

Stuart Massey put down a £1,000 deposit for two sofas nearly four months ago. A month later they still had not been delivered, so he rang up the shop to find out what had happened.

Staff promised to investigate and phone him back, but he never received a call.

Two weeks ago he delivered a letter to the shop demanding either his furniture or a refund, and again heard nothing back.

Stuart then visited the Homestore headquarters for an update last Tuesday (June 25) only to find that the shop had closed “for stock take”, according to a sign.

He waited outside the store for 45 minutes or so to see if any staff would show up.

In that time he says he spoke to several other customers who had paid deposits, including one who had placed an order only ten days earlier and another who had put down £1,800.

Stuart said: “Christ knows how many of us there are in this situation.

“I try not to think too seriously about it but £1,000 is a lot of money for anybody.”

The sign has now been replaced with one that simply reads: “Sorry closed”.

• Owner Matthew Williams told the Packet that he had issued refunds to some customers and was attempting to pay back the rest. He also denied that the sum owed was in the thousands.

August

A FALMOUTH pub could be demolished and 24 flats built in its place.

A pre-application has been submitted to Cornwall Council by Taylor And Co Architects for the Boslowick Inn, which states that the site is no longer viable due to “maintenance and running costs and dwindling trade”.

It adds that refurbishment or reuse of the pub would be unfeasible due to its size, layout, condition and unsuitability for conversion.

The pre-application (PA19/01808/PREAPP) states: “It is therefore proposed to demolish it and redevelop the site for residential purposes as flats, adding that there is a strong demand for new housing built to modern standards, both for holiday accommodation and to meet local needs.

“The proposed development of two blocks of 12 flats is an appropriate type of accommodation for the area, and the proposed buildings are of a suitable size, form, scale and appearance for the site and area, with suitable gaps left to the boundaries with existing dwellings.”

• A full planning application has not as yet been submitted.

September

Falmouth School’s head has stepped down after 15 years of service.

An email was sent to parents today detailing some of the changes planned for the start of the year after the school’s recent ‘inadequate’ Ofsted report.

Among these changes was the announcement of Falmouth MAT CEO and school head Brett Miners’ departure as well as changes to behaviour management, special needs support and complaints.

The school has also announced the end of its controversial ‘inclusion’ policy which parents say punished children harshly for trivial offences.

Deputy headteacher Alex George will be taking over as interim head of the school. A new CEO is also being sought.

The email sent today details how the school is beginning a wide consultation on new complaints and behaviour policies ahead of the children’s return to school on Thursday.

In the email, a school spokesperson said: “Over the holiday period and after 15 years at Falmouth School, currently as CEO of Falmouth Multi-Academy Trust, Brett Miners has decided to leave the organisation with immediate effect.

“As a new Board of Trustees is now in place, Brett considers this is the right time for a new leader to work with the Board and undertake the challenges moving forward.

“We would like to thank Brett for his immense contribution during his time with the organisation and wish him well for the next chapter of his career.”

October

FALMOUTH and Truro MP Sarah Newton has announced that she will stand down.

On Monday Mrs Newton said: “After much careful thought I have decided not to seek re-election at the forthcoming General Election so that I can pursue other interests.

“Making this statement now enables the Truro and Falmouth Conservative Association time to select a new Parliamentary candidate. Please be assured that in the time I have left as the local MP I will continue to work as hard as the day I was first elected.

“It has been a huge honour to represent Truro & Falmouth and I am proud of what I have achieved, working with many dynamic and creative local people in this constituency.”

November

FALMOUTH will no longer have a late night pharmacy after news that Falmouth Health Centre’s is going to close.

The Day Lewis Pharmacy in Trevaylor Road will shut on January 31 next year, with the nearest evening alternatives being in Truro or Helston.

Mayoress Vicky Eva, who spotted the poster advertising the imminent closure at the health centre, said: “It’s really disappointing, such a shame.”

December

FALMOUTH could have what is believed to be its first ever floating restaurant, as part of exciting new improvement plans.

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC), the statutory body responsible for managing Falmouth Harbour, have revealed the plans which focus on the North Quay area of the harbour, which sits to the west of Custom House Quay.

Mark Sansom, chief executive of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners said: “This project will help us to create new facilities for which we know there is strong market demand.

“The pontoons in Custom House Quay basin have been heavily oversubscribed, and we have a substantial waiting list for small boat berths here, so until now we have had to turn customers away.

The extension will enable us to welcome more visitors to Falmouth and by offering a floating dining experience, we will diversify our business and strengthen the sustainable prosperity of the harbour.