The future of a listed Penarth building that has been derelict for almost 40 years remains uncertain, although there are still ambitions to turn it into something huge. The Marine building overlooks the car park at Penarth Marina and adjoins The Old Custom House restaurant.
The eatery was acquired in 2001 by late Cardiff restaurateur Martin Martinez and opened in June that year. In 2015, the family submitted restoration plans worth £6 million to the Vale of Glamorgan Council in a bid to transform the Grade II listed structure next door. The aim was to create a boutique hotel complete with 55 four star rooms and a 100 seater cafeteria-wine bar overlooking the Marina.
It was hoped the development would be complete in 2018 and would employ 50 staff members. However, planning permission expired in 2017 due to a lack of funding, which was sought from the council. Now speaking in January 2023 Tanny Martinez, a director of JMD Restaurants, said "nothing has progressed" since. However, he is still optimistic that he can work with the council to secure funding to develop the building in the future.
