THE owners of a successful restaurant are set to take on a new seafront project.

The Mercury revealed last month how plans to transform derelict The Waves Caf� into a two-storey eatery had come to an abrupt halt after developers pulled out of the scheme.

But now the owners of award-winning restaurant The Cove, in Birnbeck Road, have stepped forward to transform the Weston site.

The businessmen due to take over the Marine Parade caf� previously, backed out before final documents were signed and the contract went back out to tender.

Proposals from Cove Catering and Leisure Ltd won through after offering the highest rental of �8,054 a year.

Plans by previous developers included the introduction of sliding glass doors, an additional floor above the current one and two levels of seating with views out towards the sea.

A new staircase would also have been built, leading from the kitchen area and bar if it had been redeveloped.

Waves closed in 2008 and was declared structurally unsound shortly afterwards.

It is unknown at this stage what the new tenants wish to do with the site.

North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive members for asset management, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: “I am pleased that after the previous false start it has been won by a company that already has an excellent reputation in the town.

“I am sure they will provide a first class service and look forward to the Waves site being rebuilt and back in operation.”

The 30-year lease for the property received six tenders and now Cove Catering and Leisure Ltd is set to be granted a conditional agreement giving them the right to carry out refurbishment and redevelopment work at their own cost, subject to planning permission.

It was previously hoped that the site would be open by last summer, but there is no indication when this could now happen.