Home and Away diner and bait shop to be demolished

It’s been the backdrop for countless break-ups, make-ups – even the odd explosion.

But producers of Home and Away may have to look for a new location for the diner and Alf’s Bait House after it was announced The Boathouse Palm Beach, the venue used for filming exterior shots, is set to be demolished.

According to Manly Daily, plans have been submitted to the Northern Beaches Council by the building’s owners, a group of Palm Beach families.

If approved, demolition of the venue would take place over six months in order to make way for a brand new knock-down, “like-for-like” $4 million redevelopment.

“Home and Away may have to do some pre-recording,” the venue’s tenant Andrew Goldsmith, told the paper. “Or write something dramatic into the script to explain away the lack of a bait shop.

“Perhaps there could be some sort of explosion?”

They may encounter some still opposition from locals, who have been lobbying against the redevelopment on social media, claiming it could encroach on crown land and that they may seek to increase the size of the car park.

Goldsmith is keen to put these rumours to bed.

“The new building has exactly the same footprint as the existing one,” he told the paper.

“The landlord wants to rebuild in the same weatherboard style and have the same casual cafe feel.

“The difference is there will be bigger bathrooms and the kitchen will be larger and modern.

“It is a necessary thing, the rebuild is well overdue. The upstairs is in a bad condition.”

Since Home and Away first premiered back in 1988, the fictional bait shop has been a constant in the series.

It’s had a series of high-profile fictional employees, including Marcus Graham, who played Harvey Ryan and most recently James Stewart, who stars on the show as Justin Morgan.

His character became temporary manager after Ray Meagher’s character, the iconic Alf Stewart, suffered a heart attack.

There is no official word yet on how producers will react should the demolition go ahead, but it’s thought they may film exterior shots in advance.