Plans submitted to turn former Beachcomber restaurant into landmark venue
A planning application has been submitted which, if approved, would see the former Beachcomber restaurant on Teignmouth seafront turned into a landmark venue. The new venue – to be called The Captain’s Table – aims to open all year round, providing a welcoming environment for local people and visitors, meeting the needs of both the community and the local economy. Fruition Design is behind the plans, on behalf of the owners of Teignmouth’s Finn McCool’s restaurant and Woolacombe’s Captain’s Table. The project will see several minor structural changes to the building, which has not been used as a restaurant since a fire in 2018.
The council’s new leaseholders plan to operate the high-quality 88-seater restaurant all day, providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as teas, coffees, snacks, and beverages. They’ll also cater for special events. The new Captain’s Table will include a bar and takeaway service facing the Den.
If the plans to increase accessibility and use more space in the structure are approved, work is expected to begin in late fall and be completed by Spring 2023.
The refurbishment plans set out in the planning application include:
- Improved access to the Den from the promenade
- Provision for a unisex toilet block, eight publicly accessible bike racks and beach showers
- Improved disabled access through the provision of a new customer lift between floors
- Provision of a new kitchen and takeaway service to the lower ground floor, new service lifts between floors, a new internal staircase and serving bar.
Fruition Design Director Mark Green said:
“Our plans respond to what people have told us they want to see at this fantastic venue and the changes we want to make have been designed to complement and expand on the Teignmouth hospitality offer.”
“Everyone involved in this project from my design team, the owners and contractors will all come from the local community. We are all committed to creating a successful new venture at the heart of Teignmouth that we can all be proud of. We hope the plans will be swiftly approved by the planners so we can get work underway after the holiday season, be open next year and start building the bright future we see for this fantastic venue.”
Business owner Peter Royle added, “We have been working in Teignmouth for over six years and are excited to be given the opportunity to ‘strengthen the bench’ of the town’s hospitality sector.”
“The promenade is such a special place. The Captain’s Table will provide a new opportunity to bring light and energy to this iconic location. With that, all year-round enjoyment throughout the day and into the evening. “
The Executive Member for Corporate Resources, Cllr Richard Keeling, said he was excited by the new plans. “We had an excellent response from the formal tendering process which took place earlier this year and chose The Captain’s Table as the best option for Teignmouth.
“The incoming tenants are showing their commitment to the town by not only taking a 20-year lease but by undertaking a major refurbishment of the building.
“Their plans are exciting, will cater for both local people, visitors and holidaymakers, contributing to the town’s economic growth and prosperity all year round and not just in the holiday season.”