Rockfish has completed the purchase of the Longboat Cafe in Budleigh Salterton but still has the EDDC planning officers to contend with.

The national fish company has also said they have offered continued employment to the team currently employed there.

Rockfish says they will 'retain the character of the building' while also giving it an upgrade so it can be enjoyed in the winter as well.

A planning application was lodged in April which is still under review by EDDC planning officers. The plans include removing the outside wooden structure over the courtyard and replace it with a glass conservatory with a retractable roof for the summer and a log burner for the winter.

Read more: Rockfish take over Budleigh's Longboat Cafe and plan expansion.

A breakfast menu will still be offered in the morning, and a coffee club will be introduced where regulars can enjoy discounted hot drinks 'to create a busy hub for people to chat.'

From lunchtime until close a seafood menu will be offered featuring mussels, crab, lobster and of course fish and chips, all served to your table or to take away until 9pm.

Maria Makepeace said: "A lot of people have been writing to us and asking the team what’s in store for the site. Creating restaurants that are valued as much by the local community as by its visitors is at the heart of what we do.

"We asked a number of locals what they liked about the cafe and what they wanted to see, as well as what they didn’t. By taking this on board, we think we have created something that people will continue to love, while also attracting others to enjoy the wild beauty of the Budleigh beach and, of course, some great local seafood.

"We like our restaurants to be central to community life; we also like to contribute to it which is why we will be giving 2p from every £1 spent directly to a Budleigh organisation that is valued in the town. As we are newcomers we are asking people to email maria@therockfish.co.uk to suggest who we might support. 

"We are really delighted to be opening in Budleigh Salterton and making Rockfish part of daily life and a special place to go. "