Bryn Williams to open Colwyn Bay bistro

Chef Bryn Williams is to return to his native north Wales to open a new restaurant in Colwyn Bay's Port Eirias development.

Williams, who owns Odette's in Primrose Hill, will be the anchor tenant of a new £4m landmark building in the Welsh coastal town, part of a larger £10m development.

Williams, who comes from nearby Denbigh, took over Odette's in 2008 and has been looking to open a site in Wales for several years.

Conwy County Borough Council leader, Dilwyn Roberts said: "Conwy County Borough Council is delighted that this facility has attracted such a well-respected, high profile restaurateur and having the commitment of a renowned national chef is a real boost for regeneration in Colwyn Bay and Conwy."

The Welsh First Minister also welcomed the move and said it signified a change in the times, reversing the 1960s trend to move away from the shore, and instead creating more of a pull than ever for people to return to the seaside.

Porth Eirias is part of a major regeneration project for Colwyn Bay, which has delivered a range of projects, totalling an investment of £52m.

The resort's famous waterfront, and the sea defences which protect it, benefitted from improvements to protect the town from coastal erosion. As part of this, £6m was spent on importing half a million tonnes of sand, pumped onto the Colwyn Bay coastline to create the dry family beach.

A further £3.7m was invested in Porth Eirias, which aside from being home to Bryn's bistro will also contain a new watersports centre, offering tuition in sailing, windsurfing and power boating as well as kayak and canoe hire.