By Jenny Lingham-Doe
A new coffee shop has been opened to fill the gap left by the closure of Nautical Nellie’s restaurant at Universal Marina at Sarisbury Green.
Coffee Shop 8 has opened in another part of the marina while staff decide on the future for the former restaurant site.
Coffee Shop 8’s manager Martin Judd said “After a long awaited start it’s going well with trade increasing every week. We’re all starting to get to know our regular customers.
“We aim to increase our range in the summer months, with different specials every day including sandwiches and salads that are all home made.
“We will have seating around all the decking. And we plan to open earlier in the summer to meet customer’s needs and provide a delivery service for berth holders.”
Lauren Reiske at Universal Marina said a survey of berth holders showed there was a need for basic requirements like bread, milk, newspapers on the site. More tables and chairs for people to sit out in better weather will be provided soon.
Nautical Nellies, which closed last October, has been earmarked to be developed into a new high class restaurant and bistro and renovation work is due to start soon.
“We’re at the stage of getting quotes from contractors, once we have this in place we will have a much better idea on timescale. It is now our primary focus,” said Lauren.