West Bay food HQ means new jobs (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

West Bay food HQ means new jobs

12:49pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Local News By Anne Bell

A new cookery headquarters is set to bring new jobs and the best in local food to West Bay.

The Hive Beach HQ is set to be the hub for classes and demonstrations, the home of a new artisan micro-bakery and a base for businesses to train or meet.

The £75,000 investment at the former De Vinchies nightclub building in West Bay Road is the latest expansion for the Attrill family who are behind the hugely-successful Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock and the Watch House Cafe on the Bay's east beach.

Steve Attrill said that he hoped the HQ would create at least ten new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to more than 70.

The Hive Beach HQ shares the renovated former nightspot with the Spar convenience store, owned by fellow Burton Bradstock businessman Saj Vij.

The shop is just one of the outlets to be supplied with the fresh bakery goods and sandwiches being made in the new premises.

Children's cooking classes and workshops are set to be an important element of the HQ, which will also host food demonstrations, training courses and provide local business with a place to host events or for private dining evenings.

There will also be a strong charitable element, with initial 'Pie Nights' being held on March 14 and 21 with the aim of raising at least £1,000 to help with running costs of a new mobility scooter for disabled Bridport teenager Victoria Crow.

“I spent many a happy hour in De Vinchies, and so did Saj, who bought the building,” recalled Steve.

“I was looking for somewhere and he suggested this.

“We look for the cafes to make the money and this is very much about putting a bit back into the community. “We think this is something new for this area “We have sourced the fittings locally and we would like local food producers to get involved, by helping them put their products in front of people.

“I think there is huge potential in offering people food and cookery courses as there is so much interest in where our food comes from now and children are really interested. “Both girls and boys these days as there are so many male celebrity chefs.

“When we were thinking of courses to run we came up with a list of one for every day of the year.”

Steve says it is not just his own family who are all involved in the burgeoning business.

“It is not just our family business, it is very much the staff's too,” he added.

“I feel a bit like dad sometimes as well as “boss”.

The upper floor in the building is also set to be developed into a research and development kitchen where the cafe's six young chefs will be able to create new menus.

Just 24 tickets will be available for each of the HQ Pie Nights, at £20 each, on a first-come-first-served basis. More information from hivebeachcafe.co.uk.