WIRRAL ENTREPRENUR ’ S HUNT FOR STAFF AFTER SEASIDE CAFÉ SUCCESS
W L
WIRRAL ENTREPRENUR ’ S HUNT FOR STAFF AFTER SEASIDE CAFÉ SUCCESS
A pioneering food entrepreneur who created 50 new jobs by ploughing more than £ 1.5m into a seaside café has launched a recruitment drive for extra staff .
Wirral-raised Phil Brown , a former schoolmate of Prince Charles , who built up the Philpotts bespoke sandwich empire after opening his first shop in Chester , which now has 22 outlets across the UK , has now launched the Sea Shanty Café in Trearddur Bay , Anglesey .
Working with business partner Neil Gitton , he has created a restaurant that celebrates beaches , holidays and the village ’ s links with sailing and local history . The nautical-themed bistro , just a stone ’ s throw from the beach , stands on the spot and bears the name of an old wooden café that was once a much loved haunt of holidaymakers for decades . The new café ’ s ceiling is hung with historic sailing boats , while the walls are decorated with sand and shells collected from beaches around the world plus other sailing memorabilia and curiosities . So successful has the Sea Shanty become it now employs more than 50 full and part-time staff .
“ We have been open less than six months ,” said Phil , who grew up in Neston , and began his working career as a journalist on the Birkenhead News . “ Demand is growing so fast we need to be recruiting more staff at all levels , if we are going to be able to cope with Easter and the summer season . Being open for breakfast , lunch , afternoon tea and dinner seven days a week is taxing our nine superb chefs so we know that when spring arrives we will need more , if we are to maintain the level of service we now offer . These are extra roles to the seasonal staff we will be taking on for the
summer . We are delighted to have found favour with local people in particular . There ’ s been a real trend for groups and families to come along , because the set up of our seating area means we can easily cater for up to 145 diners and my personal pleasure is the number of characterful dogs we welcome . The ambience of the café is tangible . Children and adults alike are fascinated by the boats in the ceiling and vintage outboard motors etc and the beach-combing bags for children are a real ‘ people pleaser ’. Even the toilets have charm with the sound of breaking waves on the shore in the ladies and the shipping forecast in the gents .”
Phil ’ s co-director is former chef Neil Gitton , who previously worked with Phil at Philpotts after gaining restaurant experience with pub chain Brunning and Price . Neil said : “ This part of Anglesey seems to be getting increasingly popular with day trippers from Ireland and other visitors , who stop off after a ferry crossing - we regularly get Scottish and Irish notes in the day ’ s takings . This is the Riviera of Wales , it is a beautiful spot and has so much to offer . Talking to other local businesses , they are also seeing an increase in trade , which is good news and shows that Trearddur Bay is seen as a destination in its own right , not simply a place that tourists pass through ,” he added .
The Sea Shanty Café on Lon St Ffraid is open daily from 9am until late , and also has an popular Edwardian-style icecream parlour . The establishment has won rave write-ups from foodies , families and tourists on online sites such as TripAdvisor and OnionRing . For more details about opening times and menus visit www . seashantycafe . co . uk or call 01407 728200 .
10 wirrallife . com