Closure order issued on former Newquay hotel after anti-social behaviour

Mattresses out the windows. Faeces and soiled clothing too. A fire on the top floor. The former Sutherland Hotel in Newquay had become a place local residents dreaded living next to, and now the courts have stepped in.

A closure order has been issued on the former hotel following a string of anti-social behaviour at the site. Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police submitted a joint application to shut it down.

What was happening at the site

The evidence put forward to support the closure order painted a grim picture. Alongside the mattresses and soiled clothing thrown from windows, several windows were smashed, sending glass falling onto the pavement and into neighbouring properties. Drug paraphernalia was found in and around the boundary of the hotel.

Local residents were verbally abused and woken at night by noise coming from inside the building. And there was a fire on the top floor.

A warning that went ignored

Planning permission to demolish the hotel and replace it with an aparthotel was granted back in August 2025.

A Community Protection Warning was then issued to the property’s owner, Blakesley Estates, in December 2025, with conditions to secure the building and stop anyone getting in. That warning was not adhered to.

The court’s decision

On May 26th, 2026, a closure order was granted at Truro Magistrates’ Court. The premises will now stay closed for three months. Anyone who enters without permission will be committing a criminal offence and could face a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said: “We have to put a stop to the appalling behaviour that’s been taking place at this site.

“I would like to thank our community safety team and the officers at Devon and Cornwall Police who have worked hard to secure this order to help protect local residents and the wider community.”

Inspector Steve Johnson of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The issues around the Sutherland Hotel have been ongoing for some time now and have had a considerable impact on all those trying to deal with it; not least the local residents. This kind of behaviour can have a significant impact on people’s day-to-day lives and wellbeing, so it was important we took action to prevent further harm.

“Our team will continue to patrol the local area to ensure the closure order is being followed – any breaches of this can result in arrest. We are pleased with the outcome, and believe this will make a real difference to the local community and help restore a sense of safety for local residents.”