We have been making headlines! In the past few months, we have been named as one of the top seaside cafes in the whole of the UK by the Guardian; singled out for special mention in the i newspaper; made it into The Week magazine; given the thumbs up by a well-known head chef in a national article; and have featured in the glossy pages of both Coast, and our county’s leading magazine, Sussex Life. Phew!
BBC Sussex
Our summer of fame started back in early July when the team from BBC Sussex chose a scorching hot Saturday to broadcast their breakfast programme from the car park next to the café. We had a great time hosting presenter Mark Carter and producer Simon Jenkins and listening to all the lovely local people who came to say hi to the BBC team.
That breakfast programme was the starting point for a national outpouring of love for our café…
The Guardian
Within a week we were named as the top 20 best UK seaside cafes by Guardian readers – and the only café in Sussex to be mentioned. Using an almost-lickable photo of our ice creams taken by the amazing Dan Tidbury of Tidbury Photography, the article said we ‘serve fabulous, good-value seafood’ and recommended our seafood platter. And it gave a generous nod to our regular music nights. “If you are lucky enough to catch a summer music night,” stated the writer, “there is fab music to listen to while you munch seafood and watch the sun go down.”
Sussex Life
Before the end of July, we were turning the pages of Sussex Life’s August edition to find a fascinating two-page article on the amazing local artist Shazia Mahmood and the postcard she did for us to raise money for Selsey Lifeboat Station.
The i Newspaper
A few days after that we were in the news again – named as one of the best places to eat by the sea by The i newspaper. Using another stunning photo from Tidbury Photography, the newspaper dedicated almost a whole page to an edible picture of our beer-battered fish and chips.
FT readers
Recently, Nick Beardshaw, celebrated head chef at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in London, told FT readers he is often in The Witterings visiting his in-laws with his wife and enjoys breakfast at Billy’s. His favourite dish being “a full English, a Bloody Mary and lots of coffee”.
“It’s a really buzzy place with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and views of the Isle of Wight,” he told readers.
Coast and The Week
And just before the summer holidays came to a close, two more major publications shone the light on our Bracklesham Bay café. The Week magazine told its readers we are one of the best places to eat in West Sussex, and Coast magazine’s October edition published a feature on Shazia Mahmood, her stunning coastal art, and our fund-raising postcard.
They say you are supposed to have just 15 minutes of fame …it seems like we have had the whole summer!
