BUSINESS and community leaders say new regulations preventing parents from taking children out of school for holidays during term time is damaging tourism in South East Cornwall.
Their claims come as one of Looe's most well-known hotel and restaurant groups – Brooks Hotels and Leisure Ltd, owners of Barclay House – announced it was to go into administration, blaming a downturn in tourism, with 60 jobs under threat as a result.
Tourism leaders and councillors met in Liskeard to discuss the impact that changes to school regulations have had on the tourism industry, with children no longer allowed to be taken out of school for holidays leading to claims it is "hurting" Cornwall.
Armand Toms, Cornwall councillor for East Looe, said: "I think in general, day businesses in Looe are doing very well, but the fact the schools are not allowing children to be taken out of school any more is making things very hard.
"It does make a difference, you can see it walking down the street there are fewer children about, and it's making a real difference to a lot of businesses that rely on family holidays and overnight stays."
He continued: "There are some individuals who do not understand the implications; this is hurting Cornwall.
"They're punishing everybody for the sake of a few who have been taking liberties – a few local businesses have been kicked quite hard."
Mr Toms was speaking after attending the meeting, which he hopes will result in MP Sheryll Murray taking the case to the Government in a bid to aid the suffering businesses.
"I support what they're trying to do," he said.
"I would like to think that the minister will look at it very strongly."
Parents can face fines of up to £120 for taking children out of school during term time without good reason. Failing to pay risks a fine of up to £1,500.
Edythe Coles, chairman of the South East Cornwall Tourism Association, echoed Mr Toms' thoughts on the state of the tourism industry in Looe.
She said: "Accommodation and attractions are the hardest-hit; our businesses are suffering.
"We're hoping some good will come out of all this, Sheryll wants to work with us and has taken on board what we've said.
"I think something has to be done, people are challenging it and now the tourism industry has to challenge it too. Acceptance isn't an option."
Meanwhile, the future of Brooks Hotels and Leisure Ltd remains unclear, with Michelle Weir, of South West-based insolvency practitioners Lameys Business Recovery, saying she hopes to find a buyer for the £2 million hotel group in a matter of weeks and avoid job losses.
"We're looking to sell quickly so there won't be any loss of jobs," she said.
"I have a lot of interested parties already so hopefully it will happen within a few weeks."
Mrs Weir said: "A review will be carried out of the company's trading activities but it is our intention to continue trading, with the aim of protecting jobs and goodwill."
Mrs Weir went on to say that at this stage it was not possible to state the level of any return to the company's creditors.
She added: "Based on the current expressions of interest I am hopeful creditors may receive a dividend in due course."
Mr Toms was hopeful that Brooks Hotels – which encompasses Trawlers on the Quay, the Plough Public House and Barclay House – will be saved.
"Barclay House has built up a reputation, it's well liked and it has a good standing; I've eaten there myself." he said. "These are good places so I would hope that someone will come and buy them and keep them thriving in the community."
