Mark Hix and his team at The Oyster and Fish House restaurant are being forced to remove their outside decking area adjacent to the restaurant in the Lister gardens in Lyme Regis. 

Mr Hix is one of the most respected chefs and food writers in the country and he may be forced to close the restaurant putting a number of jobs at risk. The Oyster & Fish House was one of a number of restaurants in Lyme Regis that were granted temporary permission from Lyme Regis Town Council to utilise outside space during and after the Covid pandemic. The end of this temporary period is 31st March 2023. 

Mr Hix has been trying to reach an agreement with Lyme Regis Town Council to agree to rent the land on a permanent basis, however the members of Lyme Regis Town Council have decided that they would like the decking removed. 

We are looking for your support to keep the decking in place. We hope that Lyme Regis Town Council will reconsider their decision and Mr Hix will be able to continue using the decking. 

The Oyster & Fish House attracts a number of visitors to Lyme Regis because of the connection to Mr Hix. This attracts huge numbers of tourists to the area and economic benefits are seen in local hotels, shops, pubs and other restaurants. These businesses provide jobs for local members of our community.  

The land where the decking has been constructed is owned by Lyme Regis Town Council, it was reported at a council meeting that "The land does not lend itself to any other purpose and because of its incline was not used by the public".(1)

The triangular shaped piece of land was under utilised , it was hidden by high hedgerows either side and it and there was very little view of the Jurassic coast due to the incline and high hedgerows. 

The land is located in the Lister gardens. This is land that Lyme Regis Town Council purchased as part of a compulsory purchase order in the 1963. It is believed not to have any restrictive covenants in place. There are incorrect reports that there are covenants affecting the Lister gardens. There are covenants effecting Langmoor gardens which was purchased by Lyme Regis Town Council in 1913 from the Alexander Hotel and these restrict the use of this land for public enjoyment only.  

Restaurants have been going through a challenging period during the pandemic, and now with the uncertain economic future that we are all facing, we look to provide support to not just to this business in town but all other businesses in Lyme Regis.

(1) Lyme Regis Town Council, Strategy and Finance meeting, 13th July 2022