Rockwater's Shacks by the Shore to launch in Hove next week
Rockwater Hove's Shacks by the Shore, a new seaside restaurant, takeaway and community hub in Hove, has confirmed it will launch its first phase next week.
The new development, set along the Western Esplanade of the seafront on the south coast near Brighton, will comprise of six beach-hut style "shacks". Former pub, the Venue, has been transformed to Rockwater Hove to provide a "more contemporary" and family-friendly offering that will include all-day dining and wellness and fitness facilities.
Next week's launch will see the opening of the six shacks, five of which will be operated by Rockwater, with the sixth, the Fish Shack at Rockwater, focusing on fresh seafood by Brighton-based fishmongers Fish Galore.
A spokesperson for Rockwater told The Caterer that the names of the other five shacks are "yet to be decided by the local community but will be themed around Hove, with at least one celebrating the NHS". Each shack will offer locally sourced food and drink, including coffee from West-Sussex roasters Craft House Coffee and Rockwater Lager, brewed in collaboration with Shepherd Neame.
On 4 July, the date when the hospitality industry is poised to reopen, Rockwater Hove will also launch its takeaway service and open the outside decking area, which will be able to host up to 100 guests, with staff ensuring that physical distancing is adhered to.
The final phase of opening, anticipated for August or September, will include Rockwater Hove (the former Venue building) and roof terrace, after the build and original June opening date was postponed due to the pandemic. The number of covers has yet to be confirmed in anticipation of the potential relaxation of the government's two-metre distancing rule.
As well as offering all-day dining, the Venue will also include a lower area accommodating fitness facilities, in collaboration with Underground Gym and Uber Mummies, that will offer classes and training both indoor and on the seafront.
Local founder and lead investor Luke Davis said that his vision for Rockwater Hove was to provide a community hub in Hove that "reflected the heritage of our beautiful seafront".
He said: "Our concept for the Shacks by the Shore will be a taste of what's to come upon a full opening. Our vision for Rockwater Hove is that it will be far more than a restaurant and bar that serves as a new community hub, but it will be a wellness centre, offering fitness classes through multiple exciting collaborations with local fitness experts."
Rockwater has also collaborated with Paper Round to ensure that all materials, litter, waste and packaging are recyclable.
