Mark Hix vows to fight on after being ordered to remove outdoor seating
The chef and restaurateur has launched a petition to save the deck after an extraordinary meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council (LRTC) held on 25 January saw a majority of councillors vote for the outdoor area to be removed.
“Enough is enough,” Hix wrote on Instagram.
“I was ready to give up, feeling utterly deflated and beaten. But after a team meeting this morning - we decided we won’t go down without a fight.”
It's the latest episode in an ongoing row between Hix and LRTC over the outside decked eating area attached to his Oyster and Fish House, which overlooks the Jurassic Coast.
The structure was erected during the pandemic when the Government temporarily eased regulations to allow the hospitality trade to serve food outdoors. Hix had hoped to retain the decking permanently, but late last year local council officials opposed the plans as they felt it encroached on the nearby Lister Gardens, which is owned by LRTC.
Hix has warned that its removal will have a significant financial impact on his business, and that he may be forced to close the restaurant, putting a number of jobs at risk.
He said that if enough people sign the new petition ahead of 8 February, it will be discussed at the next LRTC meeting on 15 February.
He added that supporters can also ask to attend the meeting.
“We have been inundated with the most amazing messages from so many people, wanting to help support and save our deck, so now is your chance to help,” he said.
The petition is aiming to reach at least 5,000 signatures. At the time of writing, 2,512 had signed it.
John Wright, LRTC clerk, said in a statement after last week's meeting: “The council granted temporary permission for the Oyster and Fish House to provide additional outside seating on council-owned land as part of the Government’s request for local councils to support the hospitality industry through the pandemic. Initially, that permission was granted for one year.
“This was subsequently extended for a second year. More recently, the council has agreed to extend that temporary permission for a further six months until March 31, 2023.
“All of these permissions were granted at a nominal cost to help support the Oyster and Fish House and others.
“The council has recently recommended the refusal of a planning application submitted by the Oyster and Fish House to make the additional outside seating permanent.
"The council was concerned about the permanent encroachment into the public gardens of a commercial use and the large, decked outside seating area which accompanied it.
“The town council has considered a request from the Oyster and Fish House to make the outside seating area permanent and has decided not to agree to this because the public gardens should be kept free of commercial development for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors.
"The initial request was only agreed by the town council as a temporary Covid-related business support measure.”
To view or sign Mark Hix's petition to save the deck, click here.
