Plans for a 'prestigious' Exmouth gin bar unveiled

Plans to convert a former Exmouth shop into a gin bar have been submitted to East Devon District Council.

The applicants, a Mr and Mrs M Simonitsch, are applying for a change of use on the former Go Mobile Shop on Rolle Street to turn it into a drinking establishment.

Commercial property consultants Haarer Goss have been marketing the property since June 2019 after the Go Mobile shop closed its shop on the premises.

A spokesperson for Haarer Goss told planners: "We had expected a reasonable level of interest in the premises as they are attractive and prominently situated in one of the prime pitches within Exmouth.

"The property was posted on our website and promoted nationally through Zoopla, Daltons Weekly, Exeter City Council's Commercial Property Register, Perfect Information Property, Want Space Got Space, Twitter and Facebook. We have also distributed the marketing particulars to applicants on our database on several occasions together with all the main commercial property agents covering the south west region who may be retained by retail clients.

"We have shown eleven applicants over the premises between June 18 and September 20, 2019, and none since that time. Almost all the applicants wanted to use the premises for cafe, takeaway, or restaurant related used, and in the absence of planning permission for such uses they did not pursue their interest.

"We have received absolutely no interest in the premises for A1 Retail Use and I believe it doubtful that we will see any such requirement within the foreseeable future. The proposed conversion of the premises to a well-appointed prestigious gin bar of the type the applicants established in Gandy Street, Exeter, presents a wonderful and unique opportunity to bring this property back into beneficial use.

"A gin bar would be able to utilise and enhance the existing period features in a way that other businesses may struggle to accommodate."

Included in the planning application is a personal statement from Nick and Lynsey Lowthian, who opened Crocketts gin bar on Gandy Street in Exeter in 2017: "Having seen the impact Crocketts has had on the drinking scene in Exeter, we decided we could replicate this model elsewhere. We are residents of Exmouth and lovers of eating and drinking out in our home town, so we began looking for a suitable rentable space in Exmouth.

"I've always admired 2 Rolle Street (I walk past it every day on my way to my office) and I have the same feeling about it as I did the first time I viewed 2 Upper Paul Street (home of Crocketts). The history and aesthetic of the building perfectly fit with the vision I have for it as a bar.

"In my opinion there are two key elements which make this building perfect for A4 use. Firstly, the building itself - it has history and character. It can be sympathetically restored and my vision for it is to replicate the 'palm café' feel it had back when it was Clapps Corner.

"The bar would be housed on the ground floor, with views onto Rolle Street and the Strand. Further seating will occupy the second floor, again with enviable views over the Strand gardens. There is already a cellar in the building, which when designing and setting up a back bar, is a huge advantage point."

They added: "It is our opinion and having spoken to many friends and locals, that Exmouth needs a quality bar for the over thirties – just as Exeter did – which would compliment the existing bars in the Strand."

The plan would be for the new bar to open six or seven days a week from 10am. Monday to Thursday closing time would be midnight. Friday and Saturday closing would be 1.30am and Sunday closing 11.30pm.

In order to operate six or seven days a week the couple plan to employee two full time staff members and five or six part time workers, with the number of part time workers increasing during peak times.

Lynsey concluded: "In summary I believe the change of use of 2 Rolle Street from retail to licensed premises can only benefit both the local economy and the people of Exmouth. The building itself deserves to shine and to be used to its full potential."

The plans were submitted to EDDC on Thursday, May 7. No date has yet been set for the application to be discussed.