A popular Isle of Wight restaurant and bar is reopening this bank holiday weekend (May 27) after eight months closed during winter and springtime refurbishment works.
Found on the all-year-round dog-friendly Forelands Beach in Bembridge, The Beach Hut Bar and Seafood Kitchen is owned by Islanders Emma and Jon Guy, who featured in channel 5's Jewel of the South series earlier this year.
The couple created their restaurant in 2011 after Emma won the Island’s MasterChef competition, with the business gaining many awards and accolades since, including holding Trip Advisors Travellers’ Choice Award for over a decade.
The restaurant specialises in seafood, with a Mediterranean twist added here and there, including fresh Island crab and lobster, freshly cooked pizzas, sharing boards, a small range of vegetarian treats and vegan options, wines, beers and cocktails from locally sourced spirits.
In September 2022, The Beach Hut closed ahead of the winter season, and in February announced it was rebuilding the cafe after the storms and high winds in early 2023.
The front of the building has been smartened up, and new technology from WRS Systems was purchased so orders can be taken from the table.
A new website, uniform and seating have been added, along with plans for entertainment and events.
A new Island ice cream and beach sales hut will allow customers to walk in from the beach for ice cream, cold drinks or a gift to take away.
Works were delayed in March due to the high winds and tides, with the original aim of reopening during the Easter holidays coming and going.
Emma said on Facebook earlier this month: “My endless changes to works with our ever-patient builders, and days of bad weather, means we are not finished enough to write the process, procedures and training notes.
“The outer counter is still being built. If we open unprepared, it will mean chaos.”
For the first weekend, the restaurant will not be opening the pizza oven area but hopes to have it open soon.
Emma and Jon’s daughter, Olivia, takes her role as head of children’s entertainment very seriously and has insisted that colouring pencils and activity sheets are available for all visiting little ones.
The restaurant says it is ‘all go’ and will reopen at 11am on Saturday, and through half term week, before returning to its normal hours and remaining closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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