PLANS are under way to extend the restaurant and revamp the function suite at the Ravelston House Hotel in Musselburgh as its popularity as a wedding venue increases.

Planning consent for the project, which would include an outside garden area with seating, is being sought from East Lothian Council.

This is the latest in a programme of investment by owners Martin and Jennifer Ivinson, who took over 23 years ago. Seven bedrooms were opened about a year ago at the Ravelston, adding a hotel to Musselburgh’s visitor attractions.

The couple’s son Dean, who is the manager, said the hotel was getting busier, particularly with weddings, so the decision was taken to further develop the building, on North High Street.

A new single-storey extension stretching to the front door of the premises will increase the size of the present restaurant from 50 to 70 diners and it will have more windows. This area will also include a small reception.

The function suite, which is licensed for 150 people, will be renovated with full-length glass installed, replacing the existing windows.

A private garden for weddings and functions will be created outside the function suite in part of the car park, extending to a current seating area at the rear of the hotel. This will be screened by fencing. A meeting/dining room in the hotel will also be renovated.

Dean stressed there were would be no loss of parking spaces as three affected spaces would be moved further back because of the way the car park was shaped.