Huge row erupts in England's 'best seaside town' over iconic landmark

A huge row has erupted over an iconic landmark in a beautiful seaside town in Devon.

Exmouth's renowned Octagon seafront spot is set to be transformed into a cafe and takeaway, in what supporters believe will be a major boost for beach life in the area. 

However, opponents of the scheme in what has been dubbed England’s ‘best seaside town’ say there are already too many cafes vying for business in the area.  

The location, once a favourite for ice cream and refreshments, has been given the green light to expand its services to include indoor seating and a takeaway hatch. The Esplanade shop shut its doors last December, with the owners revealing on their website an "exciting refurbishment programme" that would see it reopen in spring 2024.

However, the site has remained closed, encircled by metal fencing.

East Devon District Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead on May 29 for a change of use from shop to cafe, including two side extensions and internal modifications. The planning application, submitted by owner David Freer, reveals that the revamped Octagon will feature public toilets and a store, with the interior spaces repurposed for a kitchen, indoor cafe seating area and takeaway.

The existing serving hatch will be used for the takeaway. service. The Octagon's iconic circular roof canopy and facetted angled walls will be preserved, with the existing outdoor space repurposed for additional customer seating.

The new cafe's walls will face the sea, featuring full-height glazing to maximise views over Exmouth Beach and the Exe Estuary, reports Devon Live. According to the design and access statement included in the application, the proposal "will look to capitalise on this building's prime location and opportunity for cafe/ seating area with excellent coastal aspects".

The document further states: "It is considered the extension proposed subject of this application will not alter this relationship with the rest of the seafront with the extensions contained under the existing extending roof canopy as shown on the submitted drawings."

"By proposing a change of use from this existing shop/ ice-cream parlour to a cafe there provides opportunity for year-round tourism with a cafe facility having internal space that can accommodate for all weather conditions. This gives the opportunity of all-year-round users beyond that of the traditional summer tourism such as year-round water sports enthusiasts and local dog walkers who utilise ExmouthBeach in the out-of-season periods."

Despite the outlined benefits, the planning application faced two major objections. Mr A and Mrs L Farmanieh, owners of the nearby Aby's cafe, were vehemently against it.

They feared the "over-saturation" of cafes in the area and the potential harm it could bring their business.  Their criticism was direct and sharp: "There is absolutely no need for another cafe on Exmouth seafront and its facilities are simply not required, especially within 10 metres of my establishment."

"The Octagon since two years ago has already taken seven per cent of my trade due to them erecting tables and chairs around The Octagon... This planning application would have a huge impact on my day-to-day trading and on our finances, subsequently resulting in staff redundancies and my family and I no longer being able to afford to stay in business, resulting in yet another business closure."

"There are already three struggling cafes for sale on Exmouth seafront which are on the verge of collapse due to the high volume of competition and the lack of trade and footfall in Exmouth."

Formerly, The Octagon employed six full-time staff members. Upon reopening, however, this number is set to soar to 12 and its operating hours will see an extension.

From Tuesday to Saturday, the cafe will open from 8am through 9pm throughout the year. In addition, during the peak summer season, the takeaway service will be available every day of the week from 9am to 9pm, reducing to 9am to 4pm in winter.

A Construction and Environment Management Plan (CEMP) was commanded by the council as part of the conditions for planning permission. This had to be submitted and approved by the council before any construction works could begin on site.

An application discharging this condition was filed and then fully discharged by the council on 10th June. The decision stated: "The details submitted for the CEMP on June 3, 2024, are acceptable to formally discharge condition four."

David Freer took over The Octagon in August 2021, realising a lifelong ambition. The previous proprietor had held it for half a century.  

The current owners of The Octagon have been contacted for comment.