The council approved the former pub renovation plans. Ocean’s Braintree fancy dining site will get £2m investment.
He plans to open Ocean’s Braintree there. It will be fancy dining, and he’s spending £1.5 to £2 million on fixing it. Ocean Chapman is helping him. She is an executive consultant chef.
The building needs a lot of work, he said. He submitted plans on December 5. The building is in bad shape after years of neglect. The roof is even falling in.
One side collapsed, which caused leaks, he said. He claimed the council wasn’t helping him, and threatened to quit the project.
Braintree Council said they helped the owners. They claimed that they offered support for months. The council then approved the plans. Drewitt-Barlow is now very happy about it.
He is happy the council approved it and said they are reviewing the conditions. Work can begin soon now.
The plans include many updates. They are widening the entrance with doors and the courtyard inside. They will install a kitchen and replace a staircase, too. A disabled bathroom will be installed, and a bathroom will become separate toilets.
A new staircase will reach the function room. General repairs are also planned. They will arrange lighting and install CCTV cameras, too. Work must start in three years; after that, the approval expires.