Popular Scarborough restaurant El Gringos faces closure as flats plan approved

Last month, Wright Investments gained approval to turn a Grade II listed former hotel, the Villa Esplanade on the town’s South Cliff, into 26 self-contained apartments.

Now, in a separate application, the developer has got the green light to transform the ground floor restaurant, El Gringos and basement nightclub Ink Bar into two more flats.

The plan was approved under delegated powers by Scarborough Council officers after the 26-flats in the upper floors were granted permission by councillors on the authority’s Planning Committee.

In a report into the extra two flats it notes that the current occupiers of the restaurant, El Gringos, had objected.

Their objection stated: “Our business is strong and profitable, employing a number of people and whilst this last year has been difficult, we are extremely optimistic for the future and we would like to continue trading from our current premises.”

However, the report noted that officers could give no weight to the restaurant’s objection when making a decision, adding: “Whilst this concern is noted any issues relating to the tenancy are not material planning considerations and cannot be taken into account as part of this assessment.”

The former hotel, which was built around 1850, has not operated as accommodation for more than a decade.

It has not operated as a hotel for more than a decade.