Chef Mark Hix in row with local council over outdoor dining area

Mark Hix, the renowned chef, has become embroiled in a heated row with local council officials who have opposed his plans for an outside decked eating area.

The Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen star built the large wooden deck at his luxury seafood restaurant during the pandemic.

The three-level extension was automatically approved as the Government relaxed regulations to help the hospitality trade serve food outside.

Mr Hix applied to retain the structure permanently but council planners in Lyme Regis, Dorset have now rejected the proposals, claiming it encroached on public gardens.

In response, Mr Hix is threatening to withdraw his charitable support for the seaside town, pulling out of the annual food festivals and fundraising events he hosts, which he says have raised "hundreds of thousands of pounds" for the local RNLI and boosted tourism.

Income without decking would be down around 30pc

The 40ft by 26ft space outside Mr Hix's Oyster and Fish House enjoys panoramic views of the sea in the Dorset coastal town.

The 59-year-old restaurateur, who opened the eatery in 2020, said his income would be reduced by around 30 per cent if he is forced to tear the £20,000 decking down.

The TV personality and food writer claims to have the support of almost every eatery in the harbour town.

He accused the Lyme Regis Town Council of being "anti-business" and is also threatening to burn the wood from the decking outside the town hall in protest if he has to take it down.

Mr Hix said: "We have got the best reputation of any restaurant in the town and the small-minded council should be on our side.

"These people have no interest in business and seem to be anti-tourism.

"Over the years, I have done a lot for the town in terms of charity and events but they've totally ignored that. You would think they'd be more supportive.”

He added: "If I have to take down the deck, I won't be supporting the RNLI and I wont be doing any festivals.

"Anything that brings tourism to the town events, festivals, local charities connected to the town council and tourism will be withdrawn.”

"I might even take the wood from the terrace and set fire to it outside the town hall."

Council has 'done what it could' to support Mr Hix through pandemic

The deck was built on a piece of land in Lister Gardens, owned by the town council, which he said had "never been used" before he developed it.

The council rejected the plans, claiming they were an "ingress" into a public amenity and had a "detrimental effect on the gardens".

The Lyme Regis Society, which aims to safeguard the architectural and natural beauty of the town, also objected, saying that making the decking permanent would "set a dangerous precedent in leasing or selling off parts of Langmoor Gardens for commercial benefit."

Mark Green, the deputy clerk at Lyme Regis Town Council, said the council had done what it could to support Mr Hix through the pandemic.

He added: "The council was concerned about the permanent encroachment into the public gardens of a commercial use and the large, decked outside seating area which accompanied it.

"That application has now been withdrawn by the applicant pending further discussions."