Sole Bay Fish Company in Southwold to reinstate restaurant

A scheme has been lodged that could see the fire damaged business restored - provided plans get the go-ahead.

Sole Bay Fish Company, in Southwold, suffered a devastating fire at its restaurant in Blackshore Quay in May 2023.

Sole Bay Fish Company in Southwold. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

More than 80 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze on Monday, May 1, as eight crews from across the county - including Lowestoft, Haverhill, Beccles, Halesworth, Woodbridge, Leiston and Wrentham - tackled the flames.

The blaze caused extensive damage to fishermen's huts and two fish and chip shops.

After plans for a temporary indoor dining space at Sole Bay Fish Company were approved in November by East Suffolk Council, a new scheme "for the full reinstatement of the restaurant footprint" has been submitted.

Plans centring around "Reinstate of building, fencing, position of Calor storage, materials" and so forth, "following fire damage for continuation of business" was lodged with East Suffolk Council this month.

The scheme for the Fisherman's Hut at 22E Blackshore, Southwold was submitted by agents Ian Garrett Building Design Limited on behalf of the applicant Sole Bay Fish Company.

Building elevations show the existing business prior to fire damage and following fire damage, with proposals lodged. Picture: Ian Garrett Building Design Limited (Image: Ian Garrett Building Design Limited)

The proposals "to offer a continuation of the restaurant business" are currently "awaiting decision" with the council.

A design and access statement said the restaurant, fish mongers and takeaway suffered "extensive fire damage at the premises" in the blaze last year.

"The outcome of the fire has caused extensive loss of footprint to the building, along with the important revenue of the restaurant and takeaway, along with likely local staff losses due to insurance cover for a limited period.

"This has created the cessation of the restaurant, with only fish monger operating, and takeaway sales to be re-established as of the May 1 2024 along with external seated eating by customers to Blackshore, which is partially acceptable in the summer period hence the date proposed.

"Although (previous) planning approval offered help with the takeaway and restaurant, it has been decided that a fuller re-establishment of the building and business activity would be a more suitable solution, creating less disruption to the business and the local area, along with establishing a more suitable long-term outcome for all parties."

'Very important business'

With Hut 39 not being rebuilt, black boarded fencing "will enclose this former building and courtyard area."

It adds: "The proposals are for the full reinstatement of the restaurant footprint to offer a continuation of the restaurant business, with important usable restaurant seating for all year-round business viability.

"The planning approval is important in creating a viable continuation of this very important business in the tourist location of Southwold, along with the retention of staffing."

With the restaurant footprint described as "much as it were", along with the bar/takeaway areas, it adds: "The walls and roof structure will be replaced all in matching materials."

East Suffolk Council is likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.