A COUPLE who ran the high-profile bowling alley complex on Exmouth seafront have left the business.
Mark Quinn of Harlequinns Bowling and Leisure Ltd, the developer behind the multi-million pound complex, confirmed to the Echo that Isaac and Grainne Robb, who have been running Coast Café Bar Bowl had departed.
However he refused to give details as to the circumstances or comment further only to add that he had "made arrangements" to ensure the business is kept open.
Mr Robb has said he felt he had no option but to leave following communication with Mr Quinn on Monday, July 15.
This development came days after a Facebook page called the Exmouth Rumour Service saw dozens of comments being made about Mr Robb's alleged poor treatment of staff and customers.
The complex finally opened on Boxing Day, five years after construction work began. As previously reported by the Echo, Mr Quinn's company was served with a legal notice by East Devon District Council in December to complete the multimillion-pound building within two months or face handing it back to the authority.
The council took action to speed up completion of the building, furthering its regeneration agenda for the town and seafront.
Mr Robb said he and his wife were "devastated". He said: "We feel we were left with no option but to walk. We've run the business through the quiet times and this has happened just before the summer holidays."
Councillor Bill Nash, who is the ward member for the seafront expressed his dismay at the situation and support for the Robbs. He said: "I'm disappointed to hear that they've decided to go, over the past few months there seems to have been a campaign, mainly on Facebook, to undermine what they've done. I've been there and found it to be a great place."
Cllr Eileen Wragg, said she was made aware of the concerns raised on the Facebook page.
"Some of the things I have read online concerned me," she said. "I hope the situation will be resolved."