Family business set to serve up a new restaurant on Aberavon Seafront

The much loved Franco’s fish and chip shop on Aberavon Seafront has been replaced by a brand new £1 million restaurant.

Customers will still be able to enjoy the traditional chip shop take-away, but will now also be able to choose to dine in a new 130 seat restaurant if they prefer.

The investment in the new restaurant will create 70 full and part-time jobs.

Franco’s is owned by the Di Francesco family who have been serving customers at Aberavon Seafront for almost half a century.

They are confident that the new restaurant, which opened this week, will complement the success of its other seafront business, Café Remos.

The £1 million project represents a massive show of confidence in the Council’s regeneration of the area.

Owner Ray Di Francesco said: “The fantastic investment made in the regeneration of the seafront over recent years has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors, and given us the confidence to make this major investment of our own.

“We look forward to welcoming many customers, both old and new, to the restaurant.”

The Council’s aspiration for Aberavon Seafront is to further enhance the area as a visitor destination and as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, play and invest in.

Following the publication of the Council’s Aberavon Seafront Strategy some years ago, the seafront has seen a big boost in investment.

Considerable progress has been made in regenerating the seafront and the levels of private investment show a renewed commercial confidence in the area.

Councillor Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said: “We welcome this substantial investment by a well-established local family business in their Aberavon Seafront restaurant.”

“We are delighted to hear of another business supporting the work of both the council and our private sector partners in regenerating the Seafront and we wish them every success in their new endeavour.”

“Our vision for the regeneration and development of Aberavon Seafront is fast becoming a reality and without doubt is now one of the main attractions in the County Borough and ranks alongside other resorts throughout the UK.”