OUT OF ORDER
Our picturesque seaside town has been ruined after our iconic beach cafe was torn down – we’re furious
RESIDENTS in a beautiful seaside town have been left furious after their iconic beach cafe was torn down.
Middle Beach Cafe, a wooden-clad eatery in Studland, Dorset, was closed amid fears that coastal erosion meant it would soon become unsafe for visitors.
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It is believed to be the oldest beach cafe in the country, having been open since 1903.
The National Trust's decision has been slammed by unhappy locals after the iconic beach cafe that stood for decades was bulldozed.
Residents were fuming after it was decided that the long-lived eatery would be replaced with a mobile catering van in a car park.
And supporters of the much-loved establishment insist it was "nonsense" to claim the building was at no imminent risk, as it was 50ft from the sea.
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Some even gathered at the site to watch a demolition team make short work of levelling the cafe.
Andrew Parsons, a local resident who fought to save it, said: “There was nothing wrong with the cafe and it was not falling into the sea. It is outrageous what has happened to it.
"It isn’t a listed building but it is a historic building.
“There are people who have been going down there for generations who are very sad to see this happen.
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"We will no longer be able to have a cup of tea and a slice of cake or a sandwich with that million-dollar sea view.
"The replacement cafe is a burger bar in a car park surrounded by swirling dust."
The National Trust was left the cafe in 1982 by the Bankes estate as part of its biggest ever land donation which included Studland, Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy house.
The Trust submitted a planning application to Dorset Council to demolish Middle Beach Cafe and put up the mobile unit with an outdoor seating area in the nearby car park.
Lovers of the cafe turned out in force for a final cup of tea when it shut in January, with some of them taking to social media to mark the moment.
Dianne Leonard, one of the last customers, wrote: “Saying goodbye to my favourite cafe in the whole wide world as it closes its doors for the final time today … Bloody climate change!”
While Tracie Harris said: “My last breakfast today at the Middle Beach Cafe in Studland. End of an era. Great food. Great staff. Great memories.”
A spokesperson for the National Trust said: "Work on the demolition of the former café at Middle Beach has now started. This will take around two to three weeks.
"Coastal change, accelerated by climate change, is impacting Middle Beach at Studland, cared for by the National Trust.
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"The current sea defences have failed to prevent change and coastal erosion has meant that the former Middle Beach café is now close to the cliff edge and would shortly become unsafe for visitors and staff.
"Planning consent was granted in February 2023 for a temporary catering unit to be positioned on the clifftop at Middle Beach with views out to sea and Old Harry Rocks, and for the former café on Middle Beach to be demolished."
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