News and Features
Bucking the trend in Portishead The North Somerset town of Portishead has gone through massive change in the past few years and has been quoted as one of the fastest growing towns in the UK, with massive housing development and population growth of around 40% from 22,000 to 30,000. Some exciting new food businesses have taken advantage of this to begin trading, at a time when even the most entrepreneurial are being cautious. But as Deborah Griffith, of The Lockhouse said “if you can survive a recession, you are in good stead for the future.“ The town’s first heyday was around the 1860’s at the height of the iron and steel era when a pier and a deep-water dock were built by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway to accommodate the large ships that had difficulty in reaching Bristol Harbour. They brought valuable cargoes from across the globe and exported local products overseas. For over 50 years a major coal-fed power station operated alongside the dock. Ships carrying coal were commonplace in Portishead Docks. Industrial activities ceased in the dock with the closure of the Power Station in 1980 and the dock is now the centre of the new marina development. All manner of visitors enjoy a walk along the waterside, there are refreshing green spaces, swans and ducks to feed and some impressive modern art too. Foodies started to visit 5 years ago, drawn by the new flagship Waitrose store, but it is only recently that things have got really exciting. The Lockhouse I love all things nautical and The Lockhouse is no exception. The light open dining area overlooking the marina entrance evokes memories of yachting weekends on the South Coast, whilst the views to the working docks have a real and irresistible draw for me that I can’t quite explain. From the menu, panfried scallops with bacon, followed by halibut ‘lasagne’ sounds delicious, perfected by a tawny or vintage port from Quinta do Portal to finish. As you might expect The Lockhouse used to be just that - the lock keepers cottage. When Deborah Griffith and her husband found the little brick building at the head of the dock, with it’s magnificent views of The Bristol Channel, The Welsh coastline and the boats coming to and fro, they quickly saw the potential for a beautiful waterside restaurant. Their architect did a superb job retaining the original features of the listed bar area and adding a stunning conservatory seating 70. “We lived in London for 22 years and wanted to move to the Bristol area” says Deborah “it was either Clifton or Portishead, we settled for Portishead because it felt calmer. We found this building after we’d moved. When you get an opportunity like this you need to take it, you can’t just sit around and wait”. The Lockhouse philosophy is simple, but effective – to deliver good food, good value and good service. Chef Richard Gynn trained with Gordon Ramsay. “We started with a brasserie style menu, and stepped it up a little each time we changed it” he says, “we aim to deliver a 2 rosette standard. “ I ask him how he plans the menu. “I start with the main items to suit the season and then think about the garnishes, using local produce wherever possible. The current menu still has some Winter dishes, like rack of lamb with puy lentils and chorizo, but also essences of Spring, for example the steamed dourade.” The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat and for Sunday lunch and the formula is working well, around 40% of customers are regulars. Not one to rest on her laurels, Deborah says the outside terrace will soon be expanded from24 to 48 seats and a deli is planned for early summer – we’ll let you know as soon as it opens, but for now the last words come from a happy customer, received in a thank you card this week “we were thrilled with the food, the service and attention to detail” Carolyn www.thelockhouseportishead.co.uk
Chocolate One Yvonne Dutton opened her shop in The Village Square just a few weeks ago, just in time for Mothers' Day and Easter. She makes everything herself from high quality chocolate with 70% cocoa solids. Demand for comfort food increases during a recession, and in recent months chocolate sales have grown by 30%. So far Yvonne's chocolates are simply flying out of the door! The Co-operative Perhaps not as fashionable as Waitrose, but after a recent re-fit this feels like a new business. The shope is bright and airy, the merchandise well displayed and the selection good. Shop with a conscience too, the Co-operative is the leading UK supplier of Fair Trade goods.
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