The Lobster Shack takeaway with 'international following' in East Lothian launches bid to stay in harbour

A seafood takeaway with an international following is applying for permission to keep operating at its harbour location after arguing it is good for local trade and the economy.

The Lobster Shack was granted permission to open at North Berwick Harbour for three years in 2020 but it ran out in February.

Owner and East Lothian businessman Stirling Stewart has applied to renew the permission pointing to the positive impact the eatery has had locally.

And his agents have told the local authority the shack has brought international interest as well as serving people in the town.

They said: “Having The Lobster Shack remaining open has an economic benefit to the wider community as well with increased business for local fishermen with a direct link to the local market,

“The Lobster Shack also brings the benefit of jobs to the area. Also, The Lobster Shack has a large following on social media from all over the world and it can be seen from posts on social media that people travel from far and wide to sample East Lothian seafood at the harbour.

“They have had a visit from a national TV company from Germany to feature in a programme and were featured in the publication Street Food Scotland, and are regularly featured amongst the best seafood shacks that Scotland has to offer.

“It should also be noted that The Lobster Shack with its large following brings people into North Berwick, and this will have wider economic benefit to the whole of North Berwick and East Lothian.”

The Covid pandemic was blamed in part for the late application to renew planning permission.

Mr Stewart’s agent said while the outdoor nature of the shack meant it was able to run, the pandemic still had an impact.

They said: “The Covid lockdown had a huge impact on the applicants business and the external eating nature of The Lobster Shack has been an advantage with social distancing rules etc as relaxation was allowed of total lockdown.

“Due to Covid and the time and effort needed to keep businesses running, it has been overlooked that the permission had in fact needed reapplied for in February 2023 and hence these new applications.”

The application is available to view on the council planning portal.