Uncover the mystery surrounding Cornwall Council's purchase and subsequent fire sale of the General Wolfe pub. How did a million-pound investment turn into a £1 giveaway? The council's records are incomplete, raising serious questions about accountability and the use of public funds.
The great Pub Whodunnit?.
The historic central St Austell, Grade two General Wolfe pub, bought for a million by Cornwall Council several years ago is being offloaded. Records pertaining to the purchase decision appear to be missing from the Council online archive database. It is also revealed, CCC "invested" a further £750,000 of government grant money intended for local housing into creating a positive business case for converting the pub into thirteen "affordable to rent" flats. Councillor Tim Dwelly, current cabinet portfolio holder, says, "The original decision to buy the pub for £1 million had been very stupid." The semi-derelict grade two General Wolfe Pub sits on a prominent corner overlooking the main shopping precinct of St Austell in Cornwall.
Cynics suggest that throwing a further £750 K of government-allocated public money earmarked for housing, to produce a business case to support the project, was also "very stupid". The mystery of who at County Hall signed off on this purchase remains unknown due to the incomplete council record pertaining to the 2020 purchase endures.