EXMOUTH seafront business holders are still "in limbo" over whether they will be trading next summer under East Devon District Council's ambitious redevelopment proposals.
The £10m, 9.3-acre site, which extends from the old lifeboat station to the Maer on Queen's Drive, has been marketed by estate agents Jones Lang LaSalle since the spring and the council is now in "very constructive discussions with potential developers".
The scheme is part of East Devon District Council's vision for Exmouth to be improved and regenerated, boosting the local economy for the benefit of residents and visitors.
The proposed transformation will include the realignment of the road, a water sports centre, a large indoor and outdoor play and recreation area, retail areas, restaurants and cafés, holiday accommodation, a public square and parking for 250-plus cars.
But the ambitious plans have left a number of tenants with "sleepless nights" because they are so worried about their futures.
Seafront businesses first voiced their concerns over the scheme two years ago when the council released initial designs.
Since then, the Echo has covered the concerns of Dawn Hirst, whose family has been the tenants and managers of the Harbour View Café for around 35 years, and Chris Wright, who owns Exmouth Fun Park, which has been in his family for almost four decades.
Both want to be included in the authority's plans, but maintain they "still don't know what's going on".
The council has set up a series of meetings with tenants, some of which have taken place, with others imminent, to update them on potential time scales.
But council officials have admitted it is difficult to be clear about details at the moment.
Father-of-six Dean Gardner has run DJ's Diner for 11 years.
He too would like to be involved and said he was told in early summer that he could expect to be issued six months' notice in August, but it never came.
He said that in his meeting with an East Devon District Council representative on September 25, the information was "vague" about what he and other tenants could expect.
"We're human beings with families to support, this not knowing has been going on for years now, it's not fair," he said.
Mr Gardner said he loses money keeping his business open during the winter months, some years spending in excess of £30,000 so needs to know whether he'll be trading next year.
"We're being messed about by the council, which is holding us back," he continued.
"It goes on about the seafront needing to be updated, but I can't go to my bank manager for a loan in order to refurbish without a lease," he added.
"They're being really vague and it's got to the stage where I'm so worried I'm having sleepless nights."
Mrs Hirst has a meeting on October 3, with a council official to receive an "update".
Her lease expired in July and she has therefore not been able to invest in her business.
"We had a meeting in August which didn't tell us anything," she said. "It was an 'accept your fate and embrace change' sort of meeting.
"Although I'm grateful for any time we get, we're going into another winter not knowing if we have another season.
"It's really stressful and it's really taking its toll."
Mr Wright, added: "We're all still in limbo regardless of whether our leases have expired or not.
"I'm still not clear on what's happening. Words can't describe how I'm feeling."
A council spokesperson, added: "It is difficult to be precise with dates and timings until we have secured the developers and agreed detailed proposals of a timetable for construction.
"This takes time, sensitive discussion and requires cabinet and then planning approvals.
"The tenants have known since December that outline planning consent was approved for the site.
"In some cases, their leases have ended and we have encouraged them to take advice on their individual way forward.".
