Rockfish has signed a lease to take over, demolish and rebuild public toilets on Sidmouth seafront as part of its £2million eatery in the town.
The restaurant group has this week reached an agreement with East Devon District Council (EDDC) over the loos at Port Royal.
Plans by the business to transform the old Drill Hall on The Esplande – next-door to the conveniences – where given the go-ahead in June.
New ‘fully-accessible’ toilets will be managed by Rockfish but will be external to the eatery with an entrance directly from the pavement.
The current Port Royal loos will remain open and maintained by EDDC until Rockfish begins work in ‘around October’.
The existing toilets will then be demolished with temporary loos put in place until a new, separate block opens in December.
Work to refurbish the site and finalise the new restaurant and outdoor seating area is expected to be completed in late Summer 2025.
EDDC says upgrading the historic Drill Hall with new, modern facilities ‘will deliver an attractive food destination for residents and visitors which will benefit the town’s economy and beyond’.
It added that the new loos’ entrance directly from the pavement will reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Paul Hayward, EDDC’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for economy and assets, said: “I’m excited to see progress towards a new restaurant for Rockfish and welcome their investment in Sidmouth that will create local jobs.
“It will help to revitalise the east end of Sidmouth’s historic seafront esplanade providing a placemaking solution for this neglected area of the town.
“I’m delighted to report that thanks to a suggestion received from a member of the public, Rockfish will ensure that the benches in the shelter will be relocated elsewhere along the seafront or in the town, in due course.
Mitch Tonks, CEO of Rockfish, added: “We are investing around £2million in the Drill Hall location and will be creating 30 – 40 jobs.
“Once the building is developed, as part of our agreement with the council, we will be looking to ‘sell’ the long leasehold interest in the building by way of an assignment of the lease.
“At the same time Rockfish will be granted a long lease at current market rent.
“This sale and leaseback type of transaction is in the normal course of business for a company like ours whereby we recoup some of our investment in return for paying rent.”
