THE owners of a restaurant at Watergate Bay have criticised an internet provider for starting work outside their premises on the first week of half term without notice.

WAX Watergate Bay says the business was looking forward to making money after a “brutally tough winter” but Wildanet began digging up the road outside the eatery, which they fear will put people off from visiting the venue.

A WAX Watergate Bay spokesperson said: “After months of relentless rain, storm after storm, and a brutally tough winter for hospitality, we were finally looking ahead to February half term as a small but much needed boost.

“We arrived to find Wildanet digging up the road directly outside our restaurant. No warning or notice. No consideration that it might be half term.

“Our entrance is now filled with building materials.

“Disabled access is blocked. Customers are forced to walk between diggers and work vans just to reach our doors.

“From the outside, we barely look open.

“To anyone visiting Watergate Bay it now looks like a building site.

“Not exactly the atmosphere you expect when sitting down for fish and chips overlooking the sea.

“Any other week between January and April would have been manageable.

“But to schedule this during half term, without even informing us, feels incredibly unfair on a local business already battling through one of the hardest winters in years.

“Cornwall council has been very helpful and supportive. It looks like Wildanet are now going to speed up their schedule.

“We will stay open as our team needs the hours, but we could use people’s support.

“So, anyone and planning a trip to Watergate Bay, please do come and see us. People’s support genuinely means everything.”

Wildanet based in Liskeard says its contractors will ensure there is an “unobstructed, safe access” to the restaurant following a meeting with the proprietors.

A spokesperson said: “We are grateful to the restaurant owners and the local community for bringing this to our attention and together with our build partners we acted immediately to address the situation.

“The work at Watergate Bay is being carried out under a local authority permit which requested our contractors wait until after February 14 before starting work on site.

“Our contractors met today (Monday, February 16) with the affected business and have apologised for the disruption caused this morning, including the placement of site materials prior to set-up.

“The site has been tidied, and our contractor has ensured there is unobstructed, safe access to the restaurant.

“The rollout of Wildanet’s full fibre broadband network is a significant infrastructure project for Cornwall which is bringing next generation connectivity to homes and business in remote communities across the county.

“Working in many rural and coastal areas, like Watergate Bay, can be challenging and some disruption is unfortunately unavoidable, however, our aim is to keep this to a minimum and we appreciate the understanding of the community while we carry out these important works for Cornwall.”