World's first pasty drive-through is a step closer to reality
THE WORLD'S first drive-through pasty emporium has taken a step closer to becoming a reality at Helston.
A father-and-son team, who made millions selling their Cornish pasty firm five years ago, have applied for planning permission to open a takeaway on the outskirts of the town.
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The Hill Top garage on the outskirts of Helston that could become the site of the county's first Cornish pasty drive-thru.
The new venture by Ken Cocking, his sons Aaron and Gavin, and business partner Mark Christophers, would redevelop the old Ward Vauxhall Hill Top garage later this year.
They have formally applied to Cornwall Council for change of use consent to allow manufacture of Cornish pasties, and retail of Cornish produce, including a pasty drive-through takeaway and associated amenity area.
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Helston mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby welcomed the "good news", saying: "Any business is better than what's there at the moment, which is nothing. I hope it will bring people to Helston and to the town centre after they have bought their pasties.
"It is going to be unique and the first of its kind. I can't see it making a retail impact in the town centre, as there are already four to five different outlets in Helston."
Helston town centre manager Jonathan Birkett gave a more cautious welcome, voicing concerns over the impact the drive-through could have on independent traders.
He said: "Any new business is good news for the town, especially in situations where we have had empty premises for a quite a long time.
"My only concern is that, as it sits on the border of the town centre where we have a number of small businesses, a drive-through may draw business away. Hopefully, the right balance will be found."
He went on: "It will most definitely give the town a boost and shows we are moving towards the right direction and hopefully it's the first of many new businesses to come to Helston."
Mr Cocking and his family, who have been looking for a suitable site for a decade, made their fortune when their West Cornwall Pasty Company was subject to a management buyout worth £30 million five years ago.
They stumbled on the site for the drive-through last year.
Mr Cocking bought the 2.25-acre site, worth £450,000, and has instructed Truro architects Laurence Associates to draw up plans.
Mr Cocking, who owns a home in Mylor and now lives in Ascot, was not available to comment this week.
The application is expected to be determined on April 10.
3 Comments
by RNASDutch
Thursday, February 21 2013, 1:21PM
“Dont believe a single word that Ken Cocking says. No wonder he is "unavailable for comment". He has a long track record in this area, thats why he has to live in Ascot. And he didnt make a fortune from selling his pasty business. He just managed to pay off his vast debts.
And cornishbey is totally spot on. He wants to get permission for a fast food drive thru, and then sell immediately.
This will take business away from Helston, and will be a traffic hazard at a very dangerous spot anyway. The Mayor has made a big mistake welcoming this Walter Mitty character (I bet he has never even met him).
The Town Manager is more in touch it seems.”
by bombheads12
Thursday, February 21 2013, 12:16PM
“And your point being Cornishbey?? I personally would welcome a McDonalds or Kentucky or even Frankie and Bennys than a drive through pasty shop! what a waste of good land i personally will give it 5 years and when the novelty has worn off it will be back to emptyness.
Its about time Helston realised there is a Naval establishment up the road that is full of service personel that would love what i have mentioned I have lived here for over 20 years and Helston council ignore these people at their peril ( and yes i remember the days that service personel were not welcome in helston, and so the Captain laid on a bus to Truro!) Wake up before its tooo late and if Heslton Council arent listening wake up cornwall council..”
by Cornishbey
Thursday, February 21 2013, 9:36AM
“You do realise that if they get permission for a drive though pasty place, they'll just sell the site before construction, with permission granted for a 'drive through' to McDonalds for a vast sum!?!”