FLOOD insurance could be out of the question for a new restaurant planned on the coast – because its backers say they are happy to let the sea pour in.
A band of rural entrepreneurs is behind the scheme to convert a former lifeboat house on the edge of Alnmouth into a beach-side diner.
One obvious drawback is that waves have already eaten away large parts of the fragile links.
But that won't d
eter the consortium, Lambert's of Narrowgate, which is headed by Rennington businessman Ian Brown, of Lee Moor.
He says the encroaching sea could be a unique feature of the proposed restaurant, which would specialise in fresh local produce.
"Most of the danger would come from surge flooding by the sea, and rather than preventing it we would make a feature of it," said Mr Brown. "It would be a case of checking the astronomical timetables and the weather forecasts to highlight periods of danger, making the fixtures safe and then closing down.
"We already have talked to an artist about creating a wave mosaic pattern across the floor and up the wall, so that the tiles would allow for cleaning up afterwards with pressure washers.
"Wiring and electric sockets could be above chest height."
The Burgage Holders already have plans in the pipeline to transform the larger of the Grade II-listed boat houses into a visitor and heritage centre.
A spokesman said: "The committee is aware that proposals to use Alnmouth Lifeboat houses as a cafe-restaurant were put before Alnmouth Parish Council some weeks ago. We have as yet not seen any detail behind those plans and are therefore unable to comment upon them."
Judi Hill, chairman of the parish council, added: "We've produced a feasibility study into the potential uses of the boathouses, but it's too early to say what will be agreed. A public meeting is in the offing."
