Nightmare for Cornwall

For Goodness sake it's only 3 days and it has to be held somewhere safe. So be glad that Cornwall in the world is considered safest. It will bring a boost in income for service places and as I say only 3 days. Go for a drive to a quiet beach if you need to escape. Do you actually live in the area.

I remember years ago during the office of George Bush the summit was at Gleneagles the same week that "T in the Park" was on at Balado which at the time was the biggest music festival in Scotland and ran over a weekend. The roads in and out of Gleneagles are a nightmare because there is motorway close to it and then a normal road over the glen to link it with where the music venue was so for police/ambulance/fire it was a logistical nightmare. These events seem to lack planning and take place in the most bizarre venues.

I think Cornwall is well known and don't think it needs extra publicity to encourage tourists. I would love to visit but always see crowds and mention of narrow roads on any TV pieces which puts me off. There seem to be plenty of folk who visit and often too many. I feel sorry for local residents having to live with so much disruption in the summer. With reference to comments about the boost to the local economy. In our town prior to covid we hosted a huge event and the shops were all prepared for an influx of customers however people were mainly funnelled to the event and out again so didn't boost the sales. The hotels did well for a few days but that was it really. With the rise of the delta variant I feel such a gathering is foolish and am just waiting to hear of some delegates having to isolate. Although obviously hope that won't be the case. Talking of gatherings, don't get me started on the football!!

Not sure Cornwall is so little known in other countries.
During a visit a couple of years ago we saw so many foreign reg cars and camper vans - mostly German and Dutch - and once gave a lift to two middle aged Italian men who told us they’d enjoyed a previous holiday walking Hadrian’s Wall!

Of course I had to ask whether they’d also enjoyed the weather - v likely often cool and damp in that neck of the woods. Oh, yes, that was one of the reasons they’d enjoyed it - escaping the summer heat in Italy!

I'm guessing that the posters who are bringing up Zoom and travelling by car haven't read all the thread. These queries have been covered extensively.

These summits have to be face to face. Nothing would get done on Zoom. Boris would have found its very difficult to get there via train or car even. In that area public transport is practically non-existent due to security and as has been mentioned, locals are finding it nigh on impossible to get anywhere due to massive queues.

I think this comment of Aepgirl makes perfect sense

Until sending rockets to the moon, and Formula One Racing is stopped, I won’t make any comments on climate change

Actually it will bring tourists to neighbouring counties as well.
There is only one neighbouring county

I can't see the value to Cornwall of being showcased to the world when very few can or should be able to visit. I do hope people there are being compensated for losses that occur.

The vaccination issue is mind blowing when one listens to the advice and how much we are pressurising everyone to get a vaccination and how much we want to help the poorer countries of the world, I believe it's hypocrisy at its best.

On the other point raised Cornwall and particularly St Ives & Falmouth do very well for business (even during this pandemic) compared to other area's of the Country.
It is constantly being aired on TV and many celebs mention it so this meeting hasn't brought extra business to the area.
The restaurants and beds would have been filled with people using the UK to holiday, so one could say the G7 has deprived Britons from holidaying in the County.
I had a hospitality business in St Ives and we had visitors from all over the world and particularly from the G7 (previously G8) countries visiting and staying, it is surprising how well the UK, its history and stunning locations is known around the world.
It all depends on how the media are portraying this beautiful County.
Extra business? Because of the security required the food suppliers there have not profited as much as people think and a lot of the food to feed the politicians their staff and security people has been shipped from other parts of the UK.
Also the police alone are being paid very well for staying away from home to the value of £80pn while their accommodation and food costs are being paid, some may be in better accommodation than what they have at home and some won't but will they spend that in the town its doubtful as they won't have the time.

I am very proud of the UK and when it puts on a stage we excel and the world watches but I have an issue with this meeting, its about climate change, biodiversity, and pandemics of which we are constantly told to expect more of, yet these leaders with all of their staff etc etc do not have a problem polluting the environment with the travel and all it will bring.

People were forced to stay at home and have been encouraged to work from home and have zoom meetings etc and we are still being told to not expect any change as originally planned yet here they are getting together and making their staff mix, injection or no how safe are they really and how safe are we?

Casdon

There was a UN summit in Newport a few years ago, and although it caused chaos on the roads, to local businesses etc. it did bring some much needed short term prosperity to the area, hotels were fully booked and trade was good. It was very short term though..

And we were allowed to use credit/debit cards for bridge tolls for the first time too instead of having to scrabble around for the correct coins!

There's always a silver lining.

EU money did not always go to where it was most needed in Cornwall, there are still areas of huge deprivation.

It's incredibly sad, too, that many young people will never be able to afford to buy a house there or even to stay in their home County because wealthy 2nd home owners have pushed up prices whilst not doing a great deal to boost the economy.

I don't know why this is going ahead at the moment either, but I do hope some positives may come of it for Cornwall in the future.

Until sending rockets to the moon, and Formula One Racing is stopped, I won’t make any comments on climate change.

The “big meeting “ has opened up a lot of conversation here, my youngest grandson has decided he would like to be the next “President of the United Cakes of America”.

Anyway, Day 1 and we have not noticed much disruption in our part of Cornwall …. So far ?

Its because Boris must fancy a little holiday down there without actually admitting so....Yes, taking a plane there is hilarious- a car would have been bad enough, but still better than a plane! Man's an idiot! And if they're using all those staff& police etc. then they should make sure they were vaccinated first! ?

In today's world why can't meetings be held via internet. Why do all those leaders and of course the many who make up their entourage have to fly from all parts. They all know the purpose of the meetings so they can contribute just like many have had to do for work over the past year. There is the huge one in Glasgow still to come later this year too.

I live in Carbis Bay. I’m currently in Somerset having escaped for the week. Lots of my friends and family are having to sit in 2 to 3 hour traffic jams in country lanes as the one main road closed, to get to their places of work and home, just trying to live their daily lives.. you are not able to drive to local Tesco you have to walk, same with local pharmacy . We have no post office except mobile which has been suspended for duration. Local school closed, car parks taken over by security. Deliveries, carers, cleaners and some local businesses closed as they are on main route that is inaccessible. All local children excited by it all but many locals angry at the expense, threat of COVID and total upheaval to our lives when it could have been conducted on zoom. We don’t need to be put on the map, we are overwhelmed by visitors already.

And they are discussing climate change, think about that for a minute… the irony is agonisingly awful. I’m Cornish but don’t live there at the moment, I hate what they’re doing to my County

Regarding the hospitals, apparently a small area at Treliske Hospital has been set aside in case any VIPs need to be treated, but it's not affecting the normal running.
I live about 5 miles from the airport and was hoping to see some of the planes, but it's either they've arrived at night or it's too cloudy to see any of them unfortunately. I think it's quite exciting, and not a bother at all just for a few days.

Totally agree, Kali2. The whole jamboree is a nonsense anyway during a pandemic.

There’s a lot to be said for mole life and this ‘prepping’ lark, maybe I’ll resurface when it’s all over !

Cornwall is being shown to the world. In the long run this is brilliant for the tourist industry there. Actually it will bring tourists to neighbouring counties as well.

There were many negative comments last year from the citizens of Cornwall, who didn't want holiday makers going there and increasing the risks of covid transmittion, and there are various views on that regarding risk - v- profit. Regarding businesses benefitting or otherwise, a colleague of my sons, who has to make regular visits to Cornwall and stays there pertaining to a branch of their business in Cornwall, stays at the same venue for a modest 3-figure sum for the stay. This time the colleague was quoted, from the same venue, a 3-figure sum at the very high end of the 3 figures for the same length of stay. Their business has decided not to make that routine visit unsurprisingly, so on this occasion the hotel has lost ou, and probably on future routine bookings from my son's employer and others not impressed with that particular hike in price. BTW, their business is not something frivolous, they are an essential part of the funeral chain.

And already there has been an outbreak in the Press hotel it seem.
I hope the domestic staff, who are usually young, have had the vaccine.

I think people are overlooking the point that this is one of the most important meetings in the world. They need to get together to discuss the way forward. Humanity and the planet are in serious trouble so there has to be a meeting. And at the end of the day this will bring global publicity to Cornwall and hopefully grow the tourism industry. It is one of the poorest and most deprived areas of the UK so a few days of inconvenience may well pay dividends in the long run.

As to the timing, I think it demonstrates that the elite have all been vaccinated, that vaccinations work and they know it. Delta variant is more infectious, yes, but not a problem for the double-jabbed. Get those vaccinations done and give us our freedom!

Thank you, Paperbackwriter. I worked for the Constabulary at Middlemoor and although a whole ago now, I can assure everyone that the force has its fingers on the pulse and knows how things work on the ground and at sea. They have been preparing for this for ages.

The delta variant is a concern and I wish the G7 had not happened for that reason.
On the upside, Devon & Cornwall have had the highest vaccination uptake in the country. Having a predominantly elderly population also means less social mixing in large groups, plus the added bonus of the great outdoors. Fingers crossed.