Shorefield Country Park opens new restaurant The Beachcomber ‘staffed’ by robots

STAFFED by two state-of-the-art robots, a new seaside-inspired restaurant has opened at Shorefield Country Park.

Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner for holidaymakers, owners and members; The Beachcomber has been created as part of a £3m expansion programme which includes a relaxed bar area and new entertainment room.

One robot, Ola, is in charge of clearing tables and returning dirty plates to the kitchen. Bella, the serving robot, delivers dishes, plays tunes, navigates furniture and even sings happy birthday!

Programmed at the kitchen with instructions on where to deliver food, Bella warmly greets diners at the table and instructs them where to take their plates.

Shorefield director Lesley Lawrence said: “The robots have been very popular – children especially seem to love them. They are certainly a novelty.”

Based on a ‘forest meets the sea’ concept, the restaurant celebrates the company’s nine park locations on the south coast. It features a green and blue colour palette, enhanced by towering palms, silver drop-lamps, dark wood features and seaside images such as shells and sailing boats.

Employing a team of six chefs, the restaurant features an extensive lunch and dinner menu with the option for holidaymakers to book takeaway dishes delivered directly to their accommodation.

The main menu features stone-baked pizzas, build-your-own burgers, steaks, sandwiches and salads, as well as vegan options. An ever-evolving specials menu is also currently being developed.

The large kitchen area features an open pass where diners can see locally-sourced ingredients being crafted into colourful and tasty dishes.

One side of the development has been built with open views of the new Downton area of the park, while the restaurant patio area features two private dining pods which can be booked for up to 12 guests.

A new feature is Pooch Corner, which is billed as the perfect place for pet owners to bring their furry friends. It features a dedicated dog menu serving special breakfasts, lunches and desserts.

Doggy delights include Sunday dinners and breakfasts of sausage and scrambled egg.

The Beachcomber includes a large show bar called the Landing Stage live lounge, where guests and members can enjoy family entertainment in the form of cabaret and live music acts.

Shorefield welcomed more than 100,000 visitors in 2022 and is one of the largest travel and hospitality employers in the region.

Shorefield Country Park managing director Simon Pollock said: “We’re delighted to open The Beachcomber as part of Shorefield’s ongoing bid to remain the top accommodation provider in Hampshire, Dorset and the New Forest.

“Shorefield is continually investing in new facilities, upgrading and expanding our parks to offer our guests and owners memorable and relaxing breaks, and we are keen for our growth to drive more visitation to benefit local businesses and boost employment opportunities.

“It also means we can continue to be a supportive charitable partner for a range of causes close to our heart.

“The Beachcomber is a great addition to Shorefield Country Park, and we’re sure our new bar and restaurant will be enjoyed by holiday guests, owners and members alike for years to come.”

For more information, visit www.shorefield.co.uk