Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant, Dover
- 17 January 2012 13:40147833Sorry for the delay in responding - I was cleaning my dibber just for Ian.......
I agree with the above - good food is worth the extra. Their oysters were, I am told by my old man, fab. - 17 January 2012 13:47147836Oh, oysters, eh Bern!!! Hope they were as good for you as they were for him ........
- 17 January 2012 13:48147838I have nothing to say.........
- 17 January 2012 14:44147849I've been twice, the food and location are superb. OK its not cheap but its a great place for a special occasion or a treat
- 17 January 2012 18:44147903(Posted on behalf of Kalvin Clapson)
Please allow me to clarify the position with Dover Sea Sports Centre.
The original project was driven by the Dover Sea Sports Development Trust who recently decided to dissolve their trust and join with Vista Leisure for the long term benefit of the facility and water sports generally. The Trusts merged in 2011 and 2 Trustees from the original Trust have joined Vista Leisure's Board. Vista Leisure now own Dover Sea Sports Centre.
Vista Leisure operated the catering successfully (customer comments reflect this) for 12 months however it was clear that more income must be generated to assist with running costs of the facility as a whole. The decision was taken to franchise the restaurant to a successful operator who had synergy with the building i.e. Seafood. Vista Leisure is very pleased to note the positive comments from customers both on this forum and Tripadvisor.
The Dover Water Sports Centre sailing operation have put equipment iinto storage. The business has been struggling to survive financially for some years not just since entering the Sea Sports Centre. It should be noted that the DWSC Trustees and staff were involved in the project to build a new facility since the mid 90's and they signed up to paying increased rent on the basis of the improved facilities and their ability to generate more income. Unfortunately the business model failed. Vista Leisure has formed a partnership with the former staff of the DWSC and is in the process of re-launching a new Water Sports delivery entity. This organisation will offer a wide range of sailing and water sports opportunities at similar prices to the old operation but with a focus on generating surplus to reinvest back into the facility. Vista Leisure will also apply to a range of funding organisations to offer opportunities for children and adults on low income and other sectors of our deprived community. VL is keen to enable children particularly to experience what is a rewarding activity but viewed as costly and inaccessible to some.
Vista Leisure spends considerable time and resources keeping old leisure facilities open to the public and also works very closely with schools and the health sector to promote accessibility and healthy living. We are allowed to make a profit/surplus even though we are a Trust and Registered Charity but if this did happen it would be invested back into the business and the community facilities. Unfortunately at this time many trusts and public leisure facility operators are facing significant challenges and we are certainly in this bracket. The lack of investment and the rising costs of using public facilities are forcing loyal customers to either stop exercising or go elsewhere.
With regard to the Sea Sports Centre, so far all of our decisions relating to the long term sustainability of the centre are paying off. We have a strong Board and management team committed to the facility, excellent resident clubs such as the Dover Rowing Club and Dover Life Guard Club, the new Dover Sea Safari now operates from the facility, Hythe Bay provide a superb service and we are really excited about launching new water sports activities.
If anyone has any questions or would like further details do contact: Kalvin Clapson Head of Business & Community Development on 01304 245352 / kalvinclapson@vistaleisure.com - 17 January 2012 18:53147905many thanks for that informative post kyle/kalvin, clears things up nicely.
relieved to hear that water sports has a future in the centre.
always a pleasure to see the small craft when walking along the prom on a summers day - 17 January 2012 21:26147941Nicely presented, thank you. It is reassuring to know that plans are in place despite the potentially negative impression of the place. Lots of lovely partnership opportunities in these times!
Good luck. - 18 January 2012 10:31148037Thank You Kyle and Kalvin - very useful and informative for us all.
Roger - 18 January 2012 10:38148041So Kyle and Kalvin can we expect to see the Harbour full of young people learning to sail etc this Summer, it made the seafront come alive.Audere est facere.
- 18 January 2012 13:22148069The previous DWSC organisation had notable success at encouraging poeple to take part in sailing etc. We beleive we can build on this and hopefully have the water full of young people again.
- 6 February 2012 15:50151896To clear up any misunderstandings, Hythe Bay Dover Ltd. are the occupiers of the restaurant and pay a commercial rent for the wonderful facility.
The hours of business have been expanded giving an opportunity for additional local employment.
We welcome the opportunity of working closely with any occupants and users of the beach level facility for sea sports.
Dont forget that the 20.12% discount still applies until the end of February. - 6 February 2012 16:52151910Thanks for the information in posts 45/50&51 it is always helpfull to get it first hand.
- 20 February 2012 18:14154640Happy to say that I have just redone the advert for the Hythe Bay Restaurant, so watch for that rotating at the top of the page. Delighted to say that they have renewed their advertising with us here on Doverforum. Gets their message out and of course ad revenue helps to keep us running, to keep the wheels oiled and rotating.
Also.. see them on the advertisers page too...you may need to refresh to see the new ad.
Also of course we do have our Restaurant Guide...dont forget that. We have been updating it today.
email: dover7@msn.com - 20 February 2012 18:34154648great to hear they have renewed they must have felt that the forum was good for business.
- 20 February 2012 19:04154655I had the lovely pleasure of meeting Turrloo yesterday and he was very positive about the future for the restaurant and said he was having lovely responses.
Very nice gentleman indeed. - 20 February 2012 21:02154678Ah! yes indeed this site gets plenty of responses for our advertisers and every little bit helps to keep the forum in ship shape form for all our readers too. So come on local companies jump on, there's room for you as well. Advertising's only expensive if it doesn't work, not only does it work on here but its also great value for money!!!
I met Turrloo again a week or so ago whilst dining there with some friends and forumites, Alison, Una Mills and Lady LindaH. Its always a good sign to see the owner dining in his own restaurant, you know the food is good and it was, very scrumptious indeed and we got the 20.12 % off the bill which is a very healthy discount
Small world, Turrloo went to the same primary school as my daughters, St Augustines in Hythe, a few years apart of course, well just a few Turrloo
- 21 February 2012 09:53154743Totally endorse the positive comments about the Hythe Bay in Dover - we loved it: the food was great, the service was fab and I can never get enough of the view. For me there is nothing to compare with dinner (or breakfast or lunch!) watching the sea.
- 21 February 2012 10:05154746Elevenses of a portion of whitebait washed down with a glass of Pinot Grigio.....I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 21 February 2012 10:28154762
- 21 February 2012 19:32154836Its brunch for me Peter, a glass of chilled Bolly with a fresh serving of oysters whilst watching the waves breaking on the shore
Has anyone seen the new Doverforum Marilyn advertising banner, the Boss's handiwork of course
I'm ready for my close up .. Good Morning Mr President