A popular hotel and pub with a chequered history has had its lease taken over by a reputable Cornish company after months of issues. The Godolphin, at Marazion, has been under fire for more than a year as the previous leaseholder was not paying staff on time.
Owned by St Aubyn Estates, but leased by businessmen Taskin Muzaffer and Tim Moore at the time, it has now exchanged hands and St Austell Brewery has taken over the lease. St Aubyn Estates said it is "delighted" with the move and hopes it "will secure a bright future" for the venue.
Upset former staff at The Godolphin spoke out last summer about how they would rarely be paid on time, with some fired or let go without receiving their wages. They said it had been a problem since late 2023 and was ongoing with management admitting that only 50 per cent of staff were paid on time last January due to financial difficulties.
On occasion they weren't paid until weeks after their official pay date, supposed to be the last day of every month. This led to bounced-back direct debits. Around Christmas and new year in 2023, staff were sent a message saying the hotel was struggling financially and as a result, the payroll system had only paid half of the staff.
Some ceased working there and still were owed wages. It later came to light that Mr Muzaffer, who also operates The Unicorn on the Beach, in Porthtowan, is a business partner at The Fire Engine Inn, in Marazion, and was reportedly renovating the Vault in Penzance, had been disqualified from directing companies for 11 years due to a six-figure loan fraud.
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An employee at Godolphin later revealed that staff had been sent a script telling them exactly what to say to customers if questioned about the pay scandal. The message included telling staff that if asked: 'I have heard you have not been getting paid?' they should say, 'I have been paid, sometimes it's been a little later, and we did know.'
If asked 'Did they not communicate this to you?' staff were told they should respond with 'Yes they have as much as possible'. If asked if managers are getting paid first they are told to respond exactly as follows: 'Managers have been the last to be paid. The owners and all of Head Office have been paid after'.
One staff member, who asked to remain anonymous through fear of losing their job, said: "It feels like we’re being handed a script rather than being encouraged to speak openly and honestly. It’s an example of how manipulative and controlling things have become here.
"The environment here has become so toxic that it’s hard not to feel trapped. The constant pressure to maintain a positive image at all costs, even at the expense of transparency and fairness, has created a place where people feel anxious, undervalued, and stuck."
Read more stories on the Godolphin's past:
The Godolphin keeps paying staff late because it 'can't afford to pay them all'
Former The Godolphin staff speak out about missing pay and how they were treated
Boss behind The Godolphin Hotel and Unicorn pub disqualified over £100K loan fraud
The Godolphin sent 'script' to staff to use if questioned about late pay
As part of the deal between St Austell Brewery and owners St Aubyn Estates, staff working at the pub will remain working at The Godolphin. Andrew Turner, chief operating officer at St Austell Brewery, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Godolphin and all the team into our managed pub estate.
"As a family business, we are passionate about operating the region’s very best pubs and The Godolphin is an exciting addition. The Godolphin is an important part of the local community as well as a favourite for the many visitors to the area, and we are looking forward to building on its reputation.”
Andrew added: “This acquisition builds on the strong momentum we have in our managed pubs and follows the recent announcement about the transformative investment at the Pedn Olva in St Ives. This level of investment further demonstrates our commitment to West Cornwall and the Cornish hospitality economy more broadly.”
Felix St Aubyn, chief executive of St Aubyn Estates, added: “We’re delighted St Austell Brewery is taking over The Godolphin, an iconic Cornish venue, that will continue to flourish under their care. I am very optimistic that this partnership, between two Cornish family businesses, will secure a bright future for The Godolphin for all those who know and love it.”
Alongside its range of beers, St Austell Brewery says it will bring its award-winning hospitality expertise to The Godolphin. The company has established relationships with some of the best local food suppliers and will be sensitively evolving The Godolphin’s menu in the coming months to ensure the seafront venue continues to showcase the very best of the region’s produce.
As well as a premium 120-cover indoor dining space, The Godolphin has 10 bedrooms and one of the most beautifully located outside terraces in Cornwall, boasting panoramic views across to St Micheal’s Mount.
St Austell Brewery has also confirmed that the former leaseholders are no longer involved in any way with the running of The Godolphin. The current business partner at The Fire Engine Inn will also be leaving the pub and the brewery will shortly be commencing recruitment for a new business partner to take the helm.
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