A SMALL harbourside eaterie with a fascinating past will now be able to welcome customers all-year round.

The Rocketeer Restaurant, on North Berwick’s Victoria Road, just yards from the town’s harbour and beaches, only opened seasonally – shutting down for the winter – ahead of the meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board last Thursday.

The building used to be the town’s coastguard station and home to the Rocketeers, who would fire rockets, with rescue lines attached, across the bows of stricken vessels in the 19th century.

Businessman Stirling Stewart’s move to see the restaurant – which re-opened last Friday – trade throughout the year was given the green light. He also plans for it to be open until 10pm, seven days a week – a move which still need the go-ahead from East Lothian Council’s planning department.

There was unanimous approval for the year-round opening from the licensing board, with Mr Stewart outlining the history and the potential of the eatery, which launched in 2012.

He said “considerable investment” had been put into the business, with plans for the restaurant’s outdoor seating area to be enclosed in glass. It is hoped the double glazing will also reduce noise. Mr Stewart, who also owns the town’s Nether Abbey Hotel, said The Rocketeer had “grown year on year in popularity”.

A planning application was submitted last year for the extension of the building and various other changes. Mr Stewart wanted to see the opening hours increased from 8pm to 10pm.

He added: “People can sit at 7.30pm and still have time to enjoy their meal.”

Mr Stewart noted that not only were jobs provided through the restaurant but it also benefited local suppliers.

There was no objection from Police Scotland nor North Berwick Community Council (NBCC), despite the issue being the subject of lengthy debate at a recent NBCC meeting.

At that time, member Geraldine Prince voiced her fears about allowing the restaurant to open all-year round.

At the licensing meeting in Haddington Town House last Thursday, concerns were raised by some members of the public.

One objection noted: “Allowing later opening hours from 8pm to 10pm all-year round will have a negative impact on the residential area – light pollution, noise from diners/air conditioning/cooking smells and increased road traffic. The houses opposite will be disturbed by a busy restaurant/off-licence operating until 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days all year round.

“Noise from diners leaving and takeaway meals and alcohol will cause an unreasonable disturbance to the residents, especially as bedrooms face the restaurant.”

Mr Stewart said he would be “monitoring every aspect of the operation” when it came to concerns about noise and other potential issues, with notices encouraging customers to be quiet when leaving the premises and staff trained to encourage the same.