It’s been one of the, if not the major talking point of probably the past year at Arne... Therefore I’m very pleased to say that our new shop and café has opened its doors to visitors for the first time today and it’s gone down a storm. There’s been an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere across the whole reserve, not only brought on by the opening of the shop and café but also because spring has sprung at Arne. Thought I’d throw a brief but significant bit of bird news in, the first Wheatear of the spring turned up yesterday! That’s a proper harbinger of spring.
So back to the shop and café. Here are a few snaps to temp you along for a look in the not too distant future.
Opening times will be 9:30 till 5pm, though the café will close at 4:30pm. The shops got an excellent range of Binoculars and bird food plus stacks of gifts, books, gardening bit and bobs and outdoor clothing. The cafe will be serving a range of locally sourced, sustainable food including panini’s, sandwiches, jacket spuds, soup and some awesome quiche. Breakfast consists some mighty fine bacon buttys and sausage baps. Cakes are also rather good as I found out earlier today... Just off now for a jog to work off the extra calories!
The project was made possible thanks to the Coastal Communities Fund.
Great looking shop and the cakes look very tasty.
Fantastic news! I really look forward to seeing it the next time I am down in Dorset!