Coffee Quarters is a brand new café open at the spectacular Royal Haslar waterfront village in Gosport, Hampshire
Home owners and their family and friends can pick up a book from the little library there and enjoy barista coffees, teas, herbal infusions, soft drinks, sandwiches, toasted snacks, cakes and cookies.
Coffee Quarters can be found on the ground floor of Trinity House, the main quadrangle building at the heart of Royal Haslar where homes are available from just £220,000.
The cafe is a delightful, convenient spot for homeowners and locals to meet friends in a stylish setting. The perk for Royal Haslar homeowners is that they benefit from a 10 per cent discount on the delicious goodies sold there.
The décor features artworks and photography that reflect the history of Royal Haslar, a grade II listed former naval hospital, and brings to life its maritime connections.
The library of books available have been curated by local independent bookshop, The Book Shop at Lee On the Solent – owned and managed by Sarah Burrows
This delightful addition enables people to pop in on their own, pick up a book, a pastry and cup of coffee – chat to neighbours or find a quiet corner on their own.
“Since being officially opened by the Mayor of Gosport, Coffee Quarters has become a very popular destination and venue, with homeowners living at Royal Haslar,” says a Royal Haslar spokesman.
“And for those attending the expanding range of events and classes being held here, and local residents from the wider area.”
Maria Wilkinson, pictured below left with her business partner and best friend Lou Lou Murphy, is the mastermind behind Coffee Quarters.
Maria is a much-loved local character and restaurateur, well known for her work at both The Creek and The Lightship at Haslar Marina.
” I moved to Gosport about 13 years ago, and ran The Lightship at Haslar Marina for 10 years,” she says.
“I’ve seen Royal Haslar grow and develop over the years, of course, and got to know many of its residents through their visits to my eateries. It was such a privilege to be asked to develop Coffee Quarters on the site, and apply all my experience and knowledge in such a special place.”
Since opening in July Coffee Quarters has become a vibrant hub of the village..
“It’s already shaping up to be a wonderful social hub, buzzing with community spirit,” Maria confirms.
“I’m also ensuring I choose staff members that are chatty and will be good with the Royal Haslar residents.
“Several of our customers have come forward with some fantastic ideas about how to use the café and the wider communal areas beyond, whether it’s groups, talks or classes.
“We are going to be able to get a lot of things going here.”
There is also a tasty menu to entice customers.
“When it comes to menu favourites our coronation chicken, beef or fresh gammon baps with salad are very popular at the moment,” Maria adds.
And it is a real hotspot for delicious cakes.
“Our wonderful local cake maker does a mean red velvet, a chocolate mocha, and the coffee and walnut cake has been flying out.
“For the dairy free, we have ginger and beetroot cake, as well as gluten-free offerings, and we have bacon or egg and sausage baps on offer at breakfast time. We are also busy designing our cream teas, which we can’t wait to offer our customers.”
Coffee Quarters is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, to Royal Haslar residents (who receive a 10% discount on all purchases at the café), their guests and the public.
Outside café operating hours, Trinity House will still be accessible to residents as a communal space, where they can socialise, form clubs and hobby groups. It will also be used for an exciting new programme of instructor-led events on the site, including yoga, pilates and mindfulness. For more information about events at Royal Haslar and homes for sale visit Royal Haslar
