TALKS are under way about a phased reopening of tourism businesses in Cornwall.

The sector is considering how it can best start to recover as the coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Cornwall Council is in discussions with businesses and tourism groups to look at how the industry might operate once the government allows places to reopen to visitors.

Leader Julian German was clear, however, that the plans being drawn up are for the future and not today.

’The government guidance remains that no overnight stays and going to second homes are allowed and we totally support that.

’We are not advocating anything to change at the moment, we are looking at the future and anything will be based on when it is safe to do so.’

The council has been working with Visit Cornwall – the independent body which has many tourism businesses as members – as well as the chamber of commerce and other organisations.

And while the hope is that by late summer there might be the opportunity to welcome visitors they know it will not be business as usual.

Cllr German said: ’If movement is free and easy by August then we would still assume there would be social distancing measures in place.

’There has to be a discussion about the number of people we would be able to have in Cornwall in order to keep people safe. We would not be able to have the same number of people that we would normally have in a summer season.’

As a result the talks have focussed on which businesses might be able to operate under social distancing guidelines.

Cllr German said that while it could be fairly simple for self-contained self-catering accommodation to be adapted it would be much more difficult for small bed and breakfast accommodation.

’We are looking at some kind of accreditation scheme so that visitors will feel safe and comfortable in the accommodation that is available.’

Some businesses may have to remain closed – but Cornwall Council is also considering how those would be recompensed for loss of earnings.

While many of the discussions have focused around the summer there is also some thought about the rest of the year.

Cllr German said: ’With a lot of people unable to come to Cornwall this summer we are hopeful that some will transfer to later in the year and come in the autumn and winter.

’If the regulations and guidelines have eased further by then we could look at pushing the autumn and winter and extend the season that way.’

By Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter