New life is being breathed into the former Grandes Rocques Bistro and Bar.
The property changed hands in June, with the new owners – Mr and Mrs Bougourd – paying just under £600,000 for the hospitality site.
The Bougourds intend to keep it in that sector with a planning application lodged to alter the inside of the property, add new duct fans for a commercial kitchen, and to extend the balcony.
New roof lights will be added too, along with solar panels, if the plans are approved.
Director at the Drawing Room, Tom Bourgaize has been working on the designs for his clients.
He said a new bar and restaurant should be open at the site in a couple of years.
“We’re very excited to be working with our clients on the redevelopment of the former Grandes Rocques Bistro,” said Mr Bourgaize.
“Our clients purchased the site earlier this year and got straight to work on gaining the necessary permissions to redesign and renovate the building for use as a bar and restaurant.
“The site has been left empty for many years and requires significant investment to bring it back into productive use. Our clients believe this redevelopment provides an exciting opportunity to re-establish a much-loved hospitality venue on the west coast for both locals and visitors.
“Our clients plan to open the new bar and restaurant in 2028.”
The former Bistro and Bar used to be owned by Nut Tree Ltd, which also used to own the Farmhouse and the Doghouse, alongside the Cobo Bay Hotel.
The Farmhouse has been sold and the Doghouse closed, since the Grandes Rocques Bistro and Bar shut in March 2021.
At the time, Nut Tree Ltd asked for permission for a change of use from restaurant to residential, while also urging the public to support local pubs and restaurants, which were still operating under pandemic rules.
The property was then sold for £500,000 in November 2021.
The planning application includes information about the type of industrial fans the new owners intend to install in the premises.
They are described as “specially designed indoor units … ensuring low sound and maximum efficiency”.
A public consultation on the plans opened on Friday 21 August, with any comments needing to be submitted by 7 September.
