Rick Stein to open Marlborough restaurant despite residents' complaints

Rick Stein’s plans to open a seafood restaurant in Marlborough have been green-lit by Wiltshire Council despite opposition from local residents.

The chef has applied to transform a former clothing shop in Marlborough High Street in to a four-storey 102-cover restaurant complete with a bar and private dining room.

The site is aiming to employ 40 people and boost tourism in the area.

But Stein has faced conflict from local residents concerned that smells of fish and noise could reach their homes.

Commenting on the proposals resident Deborah Jones said the restaurant would create a ‘major nuisance’ to nearby houses.

Others claimed that the plans had been submitted using out-dated maps which omitted four new properties recently built nearby.

However Wiltshire Council approved the plans for the restaurant, with Councillors arguing that Stein ran a 'classy firm' and that resident's concerns had been 'overstated'.

President of Marlborough’s chamber of commerce Alex Minoudis told The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: “This is terrific news for the town, and is already causing a lot of excitement.

“Diners are sure to come from far and wide, and we would encourage them to make a day of it, and take time to enjoy the full Marlborough retail and hospitality experience.”

Stein first opened The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow in 1974, and now runs 10 restaurants and 40 guest rooms across Cornwall, Dorset and Winchester.

The Marlborough site will be Stein’s third venue to open outside of Cornwall.

His largest restaurant to date – a 200-cover site in Poole Harbour – opened in November last year.

BigHospitality has contacted Rick Stein's restaurant group for further comment.

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Stein's latest restaurant will open at Lloran House in Marlborough High Street

For all the latest vacancies with Rick Stein on BigH Jobs see here.