Jobs will be axed
Trago Mills, Falmouth will remain open – if people use it
Following months of speculation, rumours and consultations, the owners of Trago Mills have announced they are making cuts to staff and departments in their operations in Cornwall.
As far back as March this year, there were concerns raised that bosses were looking to carry out cuts to protest “the future needs of the business”.
An internal document seen by CornwallLive suggested measures were being taken, including potential cuts to staff hours.
Blaming rising operating costs and government-imposed National Insurance hikes, the firm said in the document that the consultation would explore alternatives to redundancies and would try to minimise the number of staff affected.
By November, concerns grew, with some claiming that the Falmouth store’s future was in doubt.
At the time, Chairman Bruce Robertson said its Falmouth store had “survived far longer than many” in an “unrecognisable” retail climate – but admitted its options “are limited”.
Correspondence seen by CornwallLive said that the equivalent of 13 full-time staff positions would be lost at the Liskeard branch’s Keg and Kettle restaurant, with “approximately eight alternative roles” at the “new Mill and Grind Cafe” inside the store.
It said the catering division’s takings had not covered its costs in the first nine months of 2025, and the proposed restructure was approved by the Trago Board on Friday, November 7.
Trago Mills, Liskeard(Image: Chris Allen)
In its latest public statement on the Falmouth the Board of Trago Mills announced that “despite speculation of complete store closure” the board and staff had “found a formula which we hope will continue to serve the local community whilst retaining the most jobs possible”.
The Board admitted: “These changes will sadly see 10 colleagues leaving us through redundancy together with the rationalisation of the range and closure of 2 departments which are no longer commercially viable, given weak footfall in the high street.
“The Board continue to explore all options to achieve a return to profitability which may require further changes.
“Our thanks go out to the many messages of support and compassion over the past month and, for now, our clear message and plea to an (at least in part) adoring public is…if you want a Trago presence in Falmouth, PLEASE USE US!”
Regarding the Keg and Kettle at Trago’s Liskeard store, the Board admitted that it was set to close, stating that “following a period of consultation, the decision has been made that it is no longer viable for the restaurant to continue trading.”
The Board added: “We are pleased to confirm that, as a result of the consultation process, the majority of staff have been successfully relocated to other areas of the business, with only two redundancies having had to be made. We are grateful to all colleagues for their dedication and understanding throughout this process.
Trago Mills, Liskeard
“The Keg and Kettle’s final day of trading will be 22nd December 2025. We recognise that this will be sad news for many customers and staff alike, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported the restaurant over the years.”
However, the Board said it was “excited” to introduce a new in-store coffee shop, Mill & Grind, which would open on January 3, 2026, for “tea, coffee, cakes, sandwiches, paninis, and more.”
The Board said: “While it is never an easy decision to close a much-loved venue, we believe this change will allow us to continue offering a great experience for our customers in a way that is sustainable for the future.”