A regeneration project involving a new restaurant and café — the scope of which included a food and beverage feasibility study, business planning, and interior architectural design consultancy.
For over 25 years, the Mount Batten Watersports and Activity Centre has been an integral part of the Plymouth watersports community and is a key partner of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. The centre hosts several sailing events attended by schools, residential groups, community groups, individuals, and families—both locally and from further afield. It also offers a café, restaurant, overnight accommodation for visitors, and event space for hire.
As part of a significant regeneration programme, the centre was awarded funding to expand and improve its facilities, grow the business, and become a major destination and gateway into the national marine park. The improvements included a new café/restaurant, pontoon, changing facilities, and public areas. The vision was to transform the centre into a vibrant focal point for the peninsula and evolve it into a high-quality, sustainable, and ethical business—valued by the local community and visitors from further afield. It would also provide opportunities for Plymouth school children to become more involved with watersports and to develop ocean literacy and citizenship.
To increase visitor numbers, the centre recognised the need to improve its food and beverage offering and subsequently commissioned Gutxi to produce a business plan. The scope included a review of the existing offer, market research, and the development of a new café/restaurant business case (including customer segmentation, brand strategy, menu, kitchen and operational design, and cost and margin modelling), along with recommendations to improve the design and layout of the café, reception areas, and existing catering operations. A number of hospitality design concepts for the new café were also developed.
By opening up the reception area and creating a new waterfront, glass-fronted café with a refreshed menu and events calendar, the project is set to deliver a number of significant improvements. The plan was delivered within a tight timeframe—on schedule and within budget. It was subsequently used to secure funding for this £4M project and was very well received.
The restaurant interior design captures a coastal charm, with vibrant, playful colours and the warmth of natural wood and greenery. The use of fresh hues and organic elements creates an inviting, relaxed atmosphere, with the aim for guests to unwind and enjoy a carefree experience.
Consultancy, Interior architectural design, and Guest experience design.
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