Surfleet pub open under new ownership and undergoing full revamp

A village pub has re-opened under new ownership – and is undergoing a full revamp over the next few weeks.

The Riverside Hotel in Surfleet had been shut – with plans lodged to turn the building into flats – but it has now been taken on by Amar Odedra and his two cousins and its future as a food and drink venue has been saved.

A temporary bar has been opened up so that residents can pop in for a drink while the kitchen, restaurant and rooms undergo a spruce up.

Mr Odedra said: “We hope to be fully open in four weeks. We are going to turn it back into an old style pub with casual dining. It will have some traditional pub meals and we are going to have some Indian bits on the menu too.

“We have had a lot of local people who are really happy that its staying open – it’s going to be a nice family atmosphere. This is a really nice location and we have always wanted to do something locally.”

The pub was discussed at South Holland District Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

Members were told that previous owner – a Mr N Bond – was still seeking permission to convert the building into flats. His previous application had been deferred over flood fears over the flat at basement level.

That flat had been removed from revised plans before last week’s committee, with this space now proposed for storage.

However, councillors were told that the fact the business is now open marks a material change of circumstances, with the rationale for the flats based on an assumption over the viability of the business that is no longer relevant.

Coun James Avery said: “I think it’s a very good thing that someone is taking this on. For me, it trumps this planning application.”

Members did discuss passing the flats plans in spite of the change – but eventually agreed to reject them.

• Plans have also been submitted to turn the village’s closed Mermaid Inn into housing.