Loch Fyne restaurant and hotel in Poole to be rebranded

The Loch Fyne Restaurant, Bar and Hotel, located between Haven Road and Canford Cliffs Road, will be replaced by a new brand – following on from several closures of the Scottish-founded business in recent years.

Site operator Greene King, through its subsidiary Metropolitan Pub Company, will instead rebrand the hotel/restaurant as The Anchorage and have pledged to keep the same staff and much-loved fresh seafood menu.

The venue will be closing for refurbishment between mid-to-late September with an aim to re-open around late October.

The Anchorage, to replace Loch Fyne in Canford Cliffs. Picture: Ashleigh Signs

The Echo was first alerted to the rebrand after plans were approved by BCP Council for the seafood and grill venue to update its exterior, in a move that is “intended to improve and enhance the appearance of the business, and to help ensure its long-term viability into the future”, according to planners.

As part of the changes, the building will see its old cladding replaced along with a new entrance porch and door along with redecorations to the front veranda and other work.

However, this proposal made no mention of any operational changes. Then, a separately lodged proposal for new signage reading ‘The Anchorage’ was approved by BCP Council and following enquiries, Greene King confirmed the change.

Michael Horan, managing director of Metropolitan Pub Company, said: “The Loch Fyne in Poole sits within the Metropolitan estate and we are really excited to be reopening as The Anchorage, following a refurbishment.

Loch Fyne Restaurant, Bar and Hotel

“Fresh seafood will continue to feature on the menu, sourced by Loch Fyne Oysters, and we are looking forward to working with the current team members to continue providing world-class hospitality with our premium Gastro pub delights.”

The Canford Cliffs restaurant previously had a “significant” interior refurbishment in April 2019.

Several other Loch Fyne sites have closed within the last two years, including venues in Nottingham and Winchester.

The restaurant group started out as part of the Loch Fyne Oysters company in Scotland before being sold to Greene King for £68m in 2007 when it had 36 sites. When the Poole site closes, there will be just nine remaining.