The controversial Cornuti’s East Head lease is ending and won’t be renewed.

The property, located at the sea entrance to the Knysna Estuary, is considered to be one of the best locations in our pretty town. It encompasses a parking lot and two buildings currently being used as restaurants.

The lease agreement between Knysna Municipality and Cornuti’s Ristorante (Pty) Ltd has been ensnared in problems for years. Non-payment of rentals and legal fees for consequent court battles are rumoured to have cost the public approximately R4-million.

So far, the Municipality seems to have lost, instead resorting to a decision at the latest Special Council Meeting, held September 29, to not renew the lease when it ends in December.

Deputy Mayor Peter Myers said that the Administration of the Municipality must take all necessary action to ensure that the after lease month-to-month option is unavailable and that Cornuti’s has totally vacated the premises on or before December 31.

The anti-climatic decision needs to be followed with a solid plan for the upliftment of one of Knysna’s gems. It will be interesting to see the tender offers.