A NEW seafood restaurant in Whitehaven looks set to be open for the festive period, says its owner.

Richard Donnan - who bought The Distressed Sailor earlier this year - is currently renovating the building on Egremont Road, Hensingham, ahead of its reopening.

Mr Donnan says his reopening plans are unaffected by his ongoing application for an extension which is currently being considered by Copeland Council.

Councillors had been urged by officers to approve the extension at a meeting earlier this month, but voted against it having heard some concern over disabled access issues.

But because the refusal went against a recommendation, the application will go back before councillors on Wednesday, November 25 for a second and final decision.

Mr Donnan said: "The restaurant itself - and its entrance - are perfectly accessible to wheelchair users. 

"However, it's a 200-year-old building and wasn't built with disability issues in mind, so there are some other issues we're trying to resolve.

"Although the toilets are perfectly fine to use, they are a little on the small side so I have applied for an extension to be able to extend them and hope I will be able to carry this work out.

"But whether I am able to do the extension or not, the restaurant will be open soon and fully accessible for all."