Ferries plan to revive town

Ilfracombe: Damien Hirst is opening a restaurant

Ilfracombe could become a new destination for ferries from Ireland and Wales.

It is one of a number of projects that are being considered for one of the South West's most deprived towns.

The first phase of the restoration of the harbour has just been finished and discussions are now starting over what the next step should be.

The proposals for an outer breakwater to enable ferries to dock are part of what is hoped will be a new era for the town.

Funding for what would be a £30m scheme still needs to be found.

Heady days

But the town is hoping to unlock funds from Europe, the government and from private sources from the South West Regional Development Agency's Market and Coastal Town's Initiative.

Iflracombe could be the next Padstow

Development manager Rowena Richardson

Ilfracombe has also been accepted into Destination South West - an organisation which markets ports to cruise companies.

Ilfracombe was at its peak a hundred or so years ago and Victorian celebrations this week remember those heady days.

But the town has not been so prosperous recently, and local politics has been dominated by bitter arguments.

But since the recent local elections, the talk has been about the beginning of a new era.

This autumn a new restaurant part owned by the artist Damien Hirst will be opening on the harbour front.

The artist lives nearby with his partner Maia Norman, in a 300-year-old farmhouse.

Stein invite

Energy from wave and tidal power on a new breakwater are being explored, which could mean extra funding from the government.

And there are proposals for a marina.

Rowena Richardson, development manager of the town, said: "Ilfracombe needs to be more than somewhere where people come to take the air.

"We don't have surfing, but we have other natural benefits.

"It could be the next Padstow."

That north Cornwall town has been put on the map by the presence of TV chef Rick Stein's famous Seafood Restaurant.

And Ms Richardson is keen to invite Mr Stein to check out Ilfracombe for a new venture.

"I'm sure he would love it here," she said.