'Local and fresh with a sea theme': Owners of The Loft get ready to reopen

An independent bar and restaurant business in the heart of Sidmouth is gearing up to reopen tomorrow (22 July) since closing for lockdown.

The Loft, co-owned by Natasha Saunders and her partner Lee Chapman, provides an airy, coastal-fresh setting to enjoy either a meal, or drinks - a place to soak up a rustic pub atmosphere and the town centre buzz.

The building is a long, loft space (hence the name) with a roof terrace seating area - creating a sun trap for golden afternoon-turned-evenings - overlooking The Courtyard just off Old Fore Street.

Ocean blues and sage greens in the decor are set off perfectly against whitewash walls, wooden beams and solid wicker furniture; with beach-inspired artwork by local artist, Jennifer Bennett, finishing off the look.

Supporting local is important to The Loft, as Natasha told Sidmouth Nub News: "Lots of local fresh produce is our niche.

"We use a lot of local suppliers; our specials for the evening are based on what Sidmouth Trawlers and Beer Fisheries have got in."

Explaining how the pair, who are originally from Stevenage, came to be Sidmouth-based business owners, Natasha said: "I basically grew up visiting Sidmouth every year as a holiday destination.

"My parents loved it here and it was always their dream to move down, but they had too many family ties in London."

Lee said: "About six or seven years ago we found this place while we were on holiday in Sidmouth. It was already open as a restaurant and we got on really well with the owners.

"We came back the following year and they were selling up, then a year after that when they still hadn't sold it we decided to sell our house and buy it."

"We moved down here on the Friday and opened on the Saturday," Natasha added.

After a whirlwind initiation in October 2014, The Loft has become a popular hotspot and is keen to welcome customers back through the doors.

"We would have opened sooner, but I dislocated my knee a week into lockdown so have been pretty incapacitated.

"We feel a bit like we're relaunching tomorrow and are going to play it by ear. We've stripped back the menu and reduced our capacity; plus introduced lots of hygiene measures to help people feel safe."

For more information visit The Loft website.