The new management of the old clifftop hostel has been criticized by visitors for double booking, dirty hot tubs and being a “money-making scheme” when it should not be in the public interest.
Tommy Job, whose family owns Dunes Bread in Perranporth and organizes the Tunes in Dunes music festival, has been on the receiving end of severe criticism from the community after his takeover of a former clifftop youth hostel in Droskyn.
Perranzabuloe Parish Council confirmed last year that Tunes in the Dune, the music festival company Mr Jobo is director of, had been given the lease of the clifftop former ferry terminal – run as a Youth Hostel Association hostel for the past 50 years – overlooking Perranporth beach.
At the time, concerns about the party’s application were raised as people took to social media to express their dismay at not being selected. The parish council said the final three proposals had been listed and given an opportunity to express their views in person before a decision was made.
Mr Jobo said at the time that the former YHA hostel, now known as Droskyn Lookout, would become a cafe and health centre.
For the past eight months or so, the local manager has been criticized by customers and residents alike for turning the youth center into a “money laundering scheme” and running it like a holiday.
Droskyn Lookout has been accused of doubling as a health center and a hostel at the same time, with a dirty hot tub and a number of alleged rental violations.
The parish council has confirmed that a number of alleged tenancy breaches have been reported to the landlord, Tunes in the Dunes, and some have been resolved.
In one of a series of posts and comments on Facebook, Lucy Pedwell shared a harrowing experience at Droskyn Lookout on Saturday (March 26).
He said he had seen an advertisement offering to rent the whole place for £500 including exclusive use of the health centre, which the staff had confirmed to him.
However Lucy found that the £500 she had paid did not give her a chance at all.
“It wasn’t just hiring at all. People were coming and going and after we had the party inside, we went around the side and people were in the hot tub.
“After asking a member of staff why this was happening he had no idea and told us there were bookings until 6.30pm.
“We woke up in the morning to the exact same situation. We were doing the potty while we were getting ready and a man came into the house to use the toilets and change while he was employed at the health center at 9am when we were supposed to have it until 11am.
“We know very well that this is a hostel and we should have used it as there is no point in renting the whole place as you have no choice. When I sent an email to complain the manager thanked us for our opinion.”
Nicola Greenwood also shared her experience, adding: “I’ve been to the spa before and it was great but on a recent visit part of the hot tub fell off and there was a line of beasts all over it, it was very dirty. I wouldn’t go back regardless of the feeling.”
Perranporth resident Rory Jenkins said the situation at Droskyn Lookout was an “absolute problem” but not without hope of a resolution.
“The basic idea of accommodation, a cafe, a ‘wellness centre’ and a local community helping a racing club or a mum and baby club is all right,” he said.
“I hope that between Perranzabuloe Parish Council and the tenant, Tommy Job, director of Tunes in the Dunes/TITD, who has the lease for Droskyn Lookout, there will be an improved experience for visitors and no further breaches of the lease so that this will be seen as old problems.”
Mr Jenkins highlighted some of the alleged hiring offences, many of which have since been resolved, in relation to overnight parking, live music, changes without permission, late night access control and even the use of single-use plastic in the cafe while Perranporth was one of the first places in Cornwall to go plastic free.
He added: “As is their right, the parish council chose TITD’s bold proposal for the site. There is no reason why their bold vision cannot be delivered without poor visitor experience or damage to the area.
“I see it as down to the parish council to decide whether they want to use their lease to prioritize the tenant making a profit or to protect the local area.”
Elaine Mossman called Droskyn Lookout “a bright terraced house”, adding: “I had to go and find a waiter to serve me and our coffee was made reluctantly.”
Natalie Erleigh said: “I am very surprised that they are marketing and renting out the whole unit. As far as I know they were given permission to use it as a community center with hostel rooms etc. for the benefit of the local community. Renting it out as a holiday home is not exactly what they promised.”
Pat O’Dell added: “What a shame this youth hostel has been turned into a money making scam! It has served many happy young people for many years under the guidance of the council at affordable prices.”
Amanda Coleman, clerk of Perranzabuloe Parish Council, said: “Please be assured that elected councilors are in regular contact with Tunes in the Dunes through our property manager.
“The parish council is acting fully in accordance with its legal obligations under the terms of the lease and in the interest of the wider community. Any alleged breaches are being managed by our appointed Property Managers, Laskowski & Co, who have raised and dealt with a number of issues with the tenant.
“Additionally, a number of external groups have visited the site since Tunes in the Dunes took over the Lookout. This includes Natural England, who have confirmed that they are satisfied with the works carried out to date. Planning Cornwall Council have also inspected the site and similarly confirm that they are satisfied with the works carried out.”
Mr Jobo has responded to criticism laid on his doorstep about Droskyn Lookout.
Regarding special access and subscription Ms Pedwell said: “We acknowledge that there has been some confusion about discretionary expectations. In response, we have now produced a comprehensive terms and conditions document for all future bookings of this type, which clearly define what ‘special use’ of health facilities entails.
“Furthermore, we are implementing independent entrances to health toilets to ensure complete privacy for exclusively used appointments and prevent any unauthorized access by others.”
He said the CCTV was working for safety and insurance purposes especially in view of the Droskyn Lookout on the hillside.
Mr Jobo said in terms of value, standard accommodation prices at Droskyn typically include £30 per person for a dorm bed, and £30 for two community health programs making it £60 per person.
He said for Ms Pedwell the subscription was worth £22 per person “representing great value for accommodation and access to health”.
Responding to Mr Jenkin’s criticism he added: “Mr Jenkins is our next door neighbor and he also put forward a proposal during the tender process, which unfortunately was not successful. We understand that he continues to make suggestions.”
Mr Jobo added: “The Droskyn Point building, prior to our accommodation starting in July, was operating as a hostel. However, it struggled a lot during the Covid period, and as a result, the YHA chose not to renew the lease. The previous way of operating was based on hostel bookings only.
“We made a proposal to transform the property into a successful public property. Our proposal was chosen from a competitive process, which included other bids with many different ideas. Our vision included a hostel, a health center, and a publicly accessible café, enabling visitors and the wider community to enjoy the area and its views.
“The café has been carefully designed in an old warehouse. In the wellness area, the sauna has replaced the original barrel store, and the hot tub resides in the former oil tank.
“This model has already proven successful, creating a vibrant community center. In addition, the hostel continues to serve children in need, school groups, beach walkers, and other visitors, offering affordable accommodation with beds available from £30 a night.”
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