We need to drag Fistral out of the 1950s bucket and spade time-warp

John Weller, Restormel Council

The mile-long Fistral Beach in Newquay is acknowledged as the centre of the British surfing scene and attracts world-class events because of the quality of the surf.

But it has also attracted criticism because of the quality of the facilities it has to offer.

Open to all

Restormel Borough Council leader John Weller said the local authority did not have the funds to invest properly in the region's beaches.

"We need to drag Fistral out of the 1950s bucket and spade time-warp and tap into the huge potential of a new wave of beach users," he said.

The council wants to attract more tourists

"We don't have the expertise needed to run the type of vibrant shops and restaurants which would attract more visitors to the beach and to the town of Newquay."

Mr Weller insists that the beach and the sea will still be fully open to all members of the public without charge.

The council's head of tourism, Paul Wright, told BBC News Online the beach would be handed over to developer Britannic Industries on a 125-year lease, to be reviewed every five years.

The council, which has put forward �350,000 toward the scheme, is waiting for confirmation of �500,000 European funding to support it. Remaining funds will be provided by the private sector.

New facilities, including a restaurant, surf contest judging area, shops and facilities for lifeguard and surfing organisations could be completed by next summer.

"It is public private partnership building much better facilities than we have at present, hopefully attracting more events to the area," said Mr Wright.

Surfers' fears

He added that the example of other privately-managed beaches, such as Watergate Bay further along the coast, were marvellous.

But some surfers have expressed concerns about the project.

Chris Thornton, from Croyde in Devon, said: "Of course it's high time something was done to improve things on the beach.

"But if it goes too far down the commercialisation route then the surf will get overcrowded and the real sportsmen will start going elsewhere".