A SUCCESSFUL businessman and investor behind a multi-million-pound transformation of a former Braintree pub has confirmed he has “no intention” of selling the site even if it must remain closed for years.
Entrepreneur Barrie Drewitt-Barlow is the owner of the grade II listed former Swan pub, in Bank Street, which is set to become a new "high class dining experience, Ocean’s Braintree.
The America-based entrepreneur took on the project alongside friend Ocean Chapman, of Braintree, who is spearheading as executive chef and business partner.
The pair originally struck up a friendship after they appeared on Channel 5’s Rich House, Poor House.
Ocean’s Braintree has been primed to offer a high-class dining experience that will offer Japanese and Caribbean-inspired dishes.
It was planned from the start that Mr Drewitt-Barlow would invest a figure between £1.5 million to £2 million into the historic building.
Mr Drewitt-Barlow has confirmed that even with the problems the building has, he doesn’t plan to sell it and wants to get things moving.
He said: “I have no intention of just selling the building, it will remain empty and decaying until the planners work with us to get it put right.
“I am currently talking to a top team of London lawyers with specialist legal experience in this field to see if there is a way to get this moving.
“If means going to court, then that is what I will need to do.
“I have already personally told the planners and heritage that money is no object.
“We are not on a budget and that includes fighting to get things done if I need to.”
According to the entrepreneur, the building has holes in its roof “from years of neglect” and the seemingly endless list of problems has affected morale.
He said: “I spoke to Ocean, and she is very discouraged by the whole thing.
“This woman is trying all she can to make this place work and to help bring this venue to her hometown.
“She wants to see this happen in Braintree and is committed to making it work.
“I have told her that I will back her with whatever she needs.
“She told me that she really wants this site to work for the first Ocean’s Braintree and wants to do it here because it all started here.”
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