A RESTAURANT with views overlooking Belhaven Bay could be created above a successful smokehouse.

Ethico Holdings Ltd took charge of Belhaven Smokehouse recently and has started drawing up plans to add to what is on offer.

The business, which dates back more than 45 years, would continue to operate as a smokehouse but feature a larger retail area, with a restaurant upstairs.

The revamp could also see between 15 and 20 jobs created, with hopes that a planning application could be with East Lothian Council before the end of the year.

Tony Thomas, from APT Planning and Development, stressed that proposals were still in the early stages when he gave a presentation to Dunbar Community Council.

A further presentation was given to neighbouring West Barns Community Council about the site, located off the A199, near the Thistly Cross Roundabout on the A1, last week.

Mr Thomas said: “You will be aware the smokehouse obviously has a small shop to the front and has been a fish and salmon processing outlet.

“Its reputation goes far beyond the East Lothian boundary. The new owners have taken the project on and seen potential in food processing and fish processing and the location, and there is an opportunity to do something a bit more interesting and draw people into Dunbar.

“This is very early in the process.”

The company intends to invest a six-figure sum in the 4.5-acre site by upgrading the production facility, enlarging the existing shop and delicatessen, and extending the current product range to create a unique food and leisure destination.

Images shown to community councillors highlighted Loch Leven Larder and Balgove Larder as examples of what could be created.

Among the eye-catching proposals is to create a restaurant within the premises.

The restaurant, which could feature up to 40 tables, would focus on high-quality, simple food dishes, offered in a natural and family-friendly environment.

Tables in the upstairs restaurant would offer views looking either over Belhaven Bay or for customers to take in the sunset.

Changes could also be carried out outdoors, with a new path through the trees.

Rob Trotter, managing director of Ethico Holdings Ltd, said: “We want to build a fantastic food and leisure destination which will draw people attracted by the quality and range of the locally sourced produce and the excellence of the service, and to create a visitor experience that the people of East Lothian will love to visit and be proud to have on their doorstep.

“We have an ambition to become a net-zero business and a commitment to fairness to staff, customers and suppliers which we believe will create a vibrant and exciting business which will hopefully still be here in another 50 years.”

The smokehouse – which specialises in smoked and cured salmon and trout products – was founded in 1975, with David Pate and Ian Rennie operating the business.

Mr Pate explained his reasoning for stepping away from the business and said: “It was just an opportunity to come away from it.

“They have got some new ideas and things are quite challenging just now with Covid and what not.

“It was a good time for us to retire, we are both 72.”