Sunday Independent

WORK should start next week to convert an old paddle steamer into a floating restaurant and wine bar. When the plans were announced they met with opposition, but a licence was granted. When converted, the ll4 ft Compton Castle will be moored in the river close to Truro city centre.

The consortium behind the the plan are believed to be spending over £100,000 to buy and convert the steamer, which is now at Looe.

Spokesman for the consortium, Mr David Worlledge of Kea, near Truro, said the hull would be repaired at Looe.

Once the steamer receives a seaworthiness certificate, she will be towed to Truro for fitting out and finished by the and of May.

The Compton Castle will be the first floating restaurant in Cornwall.

She was used as a tea room at Kingsbridge, South Devon for some years.

Before she can start her new job the tricky task of getting her under the Truro by pass river bridge has to be tackled.

An application for a licence for Truro's floating restaurant, the Compton Castle, was adjourned until November 15 by justices sitting at the city's Transfer Sessions today, after they heard that work was not yet finished. Mr. Donald Vage, presiding, told Mr. David John Twentyman Worrledge that they had in mind to grant the licence but wanted to see the final drawings, showing every modification to the origlnal plans.
They will hold a special sitting nest month to deal with the application.
Mr. Worrledge said that bad weather had delayed the project. Work had started today on the decks, the last major job.