Elliots Coastguard Cafe, Hayling Island

About

The Coastguard Café was originally Coastguard Cottages. It was first established in 1942 by Victor and Annie Elliott.

They opened the business as tea rooms, and a fish & chip takeaway next door. They also ran a fresh shellfish and fruit & veg stall at the front of the building.

The menu in those days consisted of cream teas, or eggs, beans, ham and peas etc. But in the 1960s you could order a beach tray, (which as it’s name suggests you could take it down the beach with you). And when you returned the crockery, you would get your 10 shillings deposit back which was equivalent to 50p in today's money.