THE owner of a popular seafront restaurant has been left “frustrated” at the council over uncertainty surrounding the future of his business along the front.
Rich Slater, owner of the popular SOBO Beach pop-up, said he and his business have had a “fantastic time” in Southbourne and hopes to remain there longer.
However, with construction for the lodges and a restaurant on the former Bistro on the Beach site being delayed, Rich fears he cannot invest in his business without guarantees.
He said: “There is so much potential at SOBO Beach, our only frustration is that as a business we can’t invest properly in the site without some guarantees on timescale from the council.
“Other beach front outlets are operating on a five-year basis, which would be plenty to allow us to overhaul the council toilet facilities and bring back showers as just one example.
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“We know the beach is still utilised by the local community through the winter and we could do even more to install an all-weather set-up for the off season if we only knew there were a few more winters ahead for us.”
SOBO Beach regularly holds successful events at its site, which features a double decker bus and shipping containers along with the “chilled vibes of Miami’s South Beach”.
“We’ve had a fantastic time at SOBO Beach so far, and really appreciate the way the SOBO community has taken us to its heart so readily,” Rich added.
BCP Council’s £6.8 million restaurant and lodges have been put on hold due to inflation costs and construction will only begin when “commercially prudent to do so”.
In the next few weeks, Rich is hoping to launch a public consultation to find out what the public think of SOBO Beach, what can be improved and what residents would like to see in a long term development on the site.
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He added: “We think it’s excellent news that the council has decided to pause its development project, we’re not fans of the proposed design as it feels far too big and dominating for the landscape, and not in keeping with the rustic charms of Southbourne.
“We see Southbourne beach as the calmer end of the bay, where local residents can enjoy the fabulous seafront away from the holidaymaker crowds, and we believe the offering on the beach should represent that.
“There is an opportunity to create a real community asset rather than a high rise block of lodges, but that’s just our view, we want to find out what everyone else thinks too.
Councillor Mille Earl, deputy leader of the council said that although no formal agreement has been reached, a contract extension is being explored.
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