Latest news with #VirginiaHazellTrickett
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Future of 'unique' floating restaurant to be determined
COUNCILLORS were promised that they will not be seeing the introduction of a 'party boat' as plans for a floating restaurant in Christchurch were discussed. Plans for a floating restaurant were discussed at Bournemouth Town Hall on June 17, in a licensing sub-committee meeting that was lead by councillor David Flagg. Paul Trickett and wife Virginia Hazell-Trickett have applied for a premises licence to permit recorded music and the supply of alcohol for their floating venture, Christchurch Harbour Kitchen. When asked to state his case, Mr Trickett described the restaurant as as a site that will serve alcohol to 'responsible' people and by no means will it be a 'party boat'. He added that the idea is 'quite unique' and that he designed the structure himself. Mrs Hazell-Trickett added: "We are trying to create something different." Proposals for the seaborne venture have frustrated some members of the public, with many fearing that the venue will bring loud noise, anti-social behaviour and excess waste to the area. In response to queries over the music, Mrs Hazell-Trickett stated that it "won't be louder than anyone that's speaking". Another fear expressed by the public is surrounding the safety of the unit and if lifejackets are needed, especially for children. Mr Trickett stated that the site is based on a 'static platform' and will not move while customers are on board. He added that as the site is not moving, they do not see the need for lifejackets. He said: "We do not feel as if there are going to be any hazards there." Objecting the plans, Richard Slater from the Beach House in Mudeford spit, stated that the pair seemed to be 'unprepared' at the meeting, adding that the 'lack of experience' 'concerns' him. Mr Slater said: "They don't appreciate that children can drown in a foot of a water. "It would be a danger to the children playing in that area. "Health and safety seems to be an afterthought." Mr Trickett explained that he had designed two legs with 'diamond type arrow poles' which will sit under the raft and pierce the sand, holding its position. Alongside the concerns for the safety of the general public, Mr Slater stated his concerns for the environmental impact the site may have. He discussed that the site may damage and interfere with salmon spawning grounds in the area and was disappointed that no environmental impact or noise assessment surveys were completed. BCP Councils decision will be made public later in the week.
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Telegraph
Drunken sailors will ruin our exclusive sandbank, say beach hut owners
Owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts fear their exclusive Dorset sandbank setting will be destroyed by drunken sailors using a new floating bar and restaurant. Hutters at Mudeford Spit, in Christchurch, say they are worried that a 'rabble of party-goers' will ruin their idyll. They fear the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea. And with just one lavatory on board, there are concerns that revellers will end up urinating over the side. The beach huts on the sandy peninsula can sell for up to £500,000 because of its exclusive, remote location. Virginia Hazell-Trickett, of the Christchurch Harbour Kitchen, wants to moor up the floating restaurant and bar in the harbour just off the sandbank. The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will be accessed by a gangplank with handrails. She has applied to the local council for a licence to play music from 8am to 11pm every day and serve alcohol from 11am to 11pm. There will be a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside. A decision will be made by the council next week, but the application has received 37 letters of objection from locals and hut owners. As well as anti-social behaviour, objectors say the venture will also encourage people to drink and cycle home as cars are banned from the sandbank. One objector said: 'I have grave concerns that the very nature of the sandbank, and the reason so many people choose to have a beach hut there, is likely to be destroyed forever if this was allowed. 'The relative tranquillity when the day trippers have gone home gives a whole new aspect to life on the coast. It is likely to be destroyed by the rabble of party-goers rushing for the experience of an evening on a floating restaurant in our midst. 'Why music? Why alcohol? Both likely to encourage rowdiness in the exuberance of the party-goers and we all know how sound travels over the water. 'These are unlikely to be the quiet couples wanting a new experience eating afloat in the harbour.' Another hut owner said: 'More people would be enticed to come to the sandbank for the bar, potentially creating more drunken and anti-social behaviour. 'Also, the fact that it is a floating bar with a dropped gangplank in the sea is a concern for safety with potentially drunk people on board.' Mrs Hazell-Trickett's council application said there will be railings all the way round the floating barge for safety and CCTV cameras will be installed. There will also be signs telling customers to leave the premises quietly. Mrs Hazell-Trickett has been approached for comment.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Drunken sailors will destroy our seaside idyll: Owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts fears 'rabble of partygoers' using new floating restaurant will ruin their peace and quiet
Furious owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts fear their idyllic escape will be destroyed by drunken sailors using a new floating bar and restaurant. Hutters at Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, say they are horrified at the prospect of a 'rabble of partygoers' ruining their exclusive sandbank. They say the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea. And with just one toilet on board, people are also worried drunken partygoers will end up urinating over the side. The beach huts on the sandy peninsula have a hefty price tag of up to £500,000 because of its peaceful and remote location. Virginia Hazell-Trickett, of the Christchurch Harbour Kitchen, wants to moor up the floating restaurant and bar in the harbour just off the sandbank. She has applied for an alcohol licence from 8am to 10.30pm for the new attraction anchored near the huts and to play music from 8am to 11pm every day. The company originally applied for the drinks licence until 11pm but after speaking with Dorset Police has now agreed to cut it by half an hour and serve drinks only with food. The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will be accessed by a gangplank with handrails. There will be a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside. The council will decide next week whether to grant the application, but they have received nearly 40 objections, many of which are from outraged hut owners. As well as anti-social behaviour, objectors say the venture will also encourage people to drink and cycle home as cars are banned from the sandbank. One person who opposed the plans said: 'I have grave concerns that the very nature of the sandbank and the reason so many people choose to have a beach hut there, is likely to be destroyed forever, if this was allowed. 'The relative tranquility when the day trippers have gone home gives a whole new aspect to life on the coast. It is likely to be destroyed by the rabble of partygoers rushing for the experience of an evening on a floating restaurant in our midst. 'Why music? Why alcohol? Both likely to encourage rowdiness in the exuberance of the partygoers and we all know how sound travels over the water. 'These are unlikely to be the quiet couples wanting a new experience eating afloat in the harbour.' Another hut owner said: 'More people would be enticed to come to the sandbank for the bar, potentially creating more drunken and anti-social behaviour. 'Also, the fact that it is a floating bar with a dropped gangplank in the sea is a concern for safety with potentially drunk people on board.' But hut owners say the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea Another argued: 'Having recorded music played until 11pm at night would seem to be wholly inappropriate in this area. 'During the summer months people sleep in their beach huts and have their windows open for ventilation at night. The noise will be a significant factor here.' One concerned resident said: 'Given that the land train and ferry stop in the early evening, how are customers supposed to get home at 11pm after a few drinks? 'This would surely encourage people to cycle home in the dark or drive home in boats in the dark - and after consuming a few drinks. 'Is there to be a water bus or will there be dozens of motor boats badgering for places to moor or tie up next to the restaurant, all revving up their engines after 11pm?' Ms Hazell-Trickett said there will be railings all the way round the floating barge for safety and CCTV cameras will be installed. There will also be signs telling customers to leave the premises quietly. There are 346 beach huts at Mudeford with prices rising dramatically in the last 30 years. The remote location makes them very desirable as an exclusive bolthole. Cars are banned and the only way to reach it is by a 20-minute walk, a short ferry trip or a novelty land train ride. The huts can be slept in from March to October, but have no running water or mains electricity, while toilets and washing facilities are in a communal block.
