A well-known former Teignmouth cafe, damaged by a fire in 2017, could soon reopen after councillors agreed to advertise a new longer lease for the building.

The Beachcomber Café on the seafront has been closed since the blaze in July 2017, but a long-running legal battle with the former tenants meant Teignbridge District Council did not recover possession of the cafe until almost three years later.

The tenant at the time, CDVB Ltd, and its then-director were both prosecuted following the incident, for putting staff at risk from asbestos by returning to the fire-ravaged building to retrieve property – ignoring barriers put up by Teignbridge to protect the public from harm.

A legal process then took place, based on the validity of Teignbridge's notice not to renew the firm's tenancy, which ultimately ruled in favour of the council and awarded it full costs.

Now, following the completion of essential renovation work, the council has agreed to advertise for a new tenant – with an extended lease term of up to 25 years to encourage investment in the building and local area.

At a meeting of the council's executive this week, Councillor Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh), member for corporate resources, said the proposal is to let the whole of the building. The public toilets currently situated in part of the ground floor will be relocated.

Cllr Keeling said: "The resultant increased floor area will provide any new tenant with an opportunity to increase the seating provision for the restaurant by allowing the kitchen and stores to be placed on the ground floor, making it a more viable commercial enterprise and an increase in rent for the council."

"In view of the scale of investment required by any new tenant in terms of fitting out etc. it is considered appropriate and advantageous to offer a lease for a term of up to 25 years. This would give any incoming tenant sufficient security to justify the initial investment in the building.

"It will also allow a new business to establish itself, develop and be a boost to the town's local economy."

The council's executive unanimously backed the recommendation.

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