NEW PLANT BASED EATERY - SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH

Aim

OFFBEET is coming to Southsea! We need your support to complete the project and make this the best place to eat in Southsea.

It’s not an entirely easy question to answer. It’s not simply a plant based food brand. It comes down to the philosophy of our mindset, to be unconventional, progressive, innovative and not follow the status quo. We apply the ‘OFFBEET’ mindset to everything we do from food and drink to how we treat our staff, the environment and how we service our local community. 

Our Food

When it comes to food, almost every element on our menus is made by us. This is a rare luxury in today’s restaurant industry. 

LISTED IN THE TIMES TOP UK VEGGIE AND VEGAN RESTAURANTS

You will never find bought in plant based alternatives, we make food ourselves which makes the end result more wholesome, flavoursome and less processed. It also gives us complete control over the flavour and texture so our chefs can be as creative as possible. It’s costly and time consuming but we truly believe you will taste the difference. 

OFFBEET Southsea

It has been a long term pipe-dream to open an OFFBEET in the independent foodie Mecca of Southsea. So when the opportunity came to occupy what is arguably one of the most impressive spots on Albert Road, we knew we couldn't turn it down. 

This is no ordinary building project! The Bellamy's building will now be completely re-engineered literally from the ground up, removing the above flat and creating what will be 5 areas of customer dining. 

The Shop Floor - A bustling entrance to OFFBEET Southsea where you can sit and watch the world race by with the smell of fresh coffee being brewed behind you. This floor also has full disabled access and a disabled toilet.  

The Mezzanine Floor -  Overlooking the shop floor, with almost a birds eye view of the cafe below with a frameless glass screen to give this room a truly unique aspect. This floor also boasts views of our courtyard garden.

The Lounge area (Second floor) - For those looking for a slightly more private and relaxed seating area the lounge room is South facing with an abundance of natural light. Honouring nature with its Scandinavian principle to style with light natural pine floors, plants and natural textiles.

The Terrace - Up above the bustling of Albert Road we will create a green oasis roof terrace. With lighting and heating it will make the perfect dining on a summer evening. 

The courtyard - Finally the venue will feature a walled courtyard garden for those summer months soaking up the sun amongst our walled plants and herb garden.

This will be one of the most unique cafes in Southsea. Have we got your attention?! Please read on...

Progress So Far

In early 2021 the major building work commenced, but progress was hampered by COVID, constant lockdowns, supply issues and the inevitable building work hiccups that come from a major project like this.

Our restaurant in Southampton had been closed just after Christmas for another lockdown and takeaways were proving much less popular due to the poor weather. 

Luckily our new supportive landlords in Southsea took full control of the building project while we were tied up battling to save our existing business during lockdowns and COVID scares. Without their tremendous hard work and support we wouldn't be able to see this project through to the finish line. But not only their support but the buzz and support we were receiving from the Southsea local community was incredible.  

(Picture Above: OFFBEET were selling 300 donuts a day during lockdown!)

Things for OFFBEET were picking up during the spring since the launch of our plant based donuts became a huge success in the Southampton venue. Sadly it wasn't to last and without warning we were told to leave Sunnyfields Farm as they stated our temporary food offering didn't fit with their ethos despite the farm business already selling similar products. Several newspaper stories later, hundreds of support letters and a BBC news interview, we had rallied massive support and awarenesses of our troubling situation. The rest is history, but every cloud has a silver lining and this wasn't going to be the end for OFFBEET. 

A New Beginning - OFFBEET at The Retreat

Following the devastating news of being evicted we were approached by the Retreat New Forest based in Christchurch. After a meeting with the management team we felt their project of a fully plant based retreat promoting health and wellbeing resonated with our core values. In addition to the restaurant space we were also to gain a 1/4 acre walled garden and a cookery school space.

With every last penny we had we worked tirelessly to make during lockdowns we set to the task of renovating what was a fairly run down and dated restaurant. Most of the work was completed by Peter and Vicky themselves along with some help from friends, family and the very small team they had left. Unable to afford professional help they were living and working at the retreat, tirelessly stripping the venue down and rebuilding it while also working at weekends offering pop up food stands to finance the project and pay the bills.  

We couldn’t be more happy with the result! The Retreat New Forest is now home to the fine dining offering by OFFBEET and also the head quarters for development, teachings and administration for the business. The restaurant has received nothing but glowing reviews since opening with a stand out team producing some of the best food in the New Forest with exceptional service to suit. 

TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS:

 BLOWN AWAY - I've been going to offbeet since it was at sunnfyields in totton, I always enjoyed it there but wow I am blown away by how they have upped their game!

Hands Down The BEST Food We’e All Eaten - 

We've been visiting Offbeet since their original opening on the sunnyfields site and it has always been a great establishment that we've visited frequently. But since the re-opening at The Retreat, they've somehow managed to step their game up to another level!

But this all comes at a cost...

For a business that already puts quality of food, staff opportunities and benefits and sustainability above profit we hadn't budgeted for such huge relocation and renovation costs over the last year and now face opening Southsea on the very little funding we have left. 

Relocating has meant an increase in recruitment, training, marketing and advertising costs. After such hard times for the hospitality industry we are proud to be still standing, still fighting but need to reach out for your support now! 

How can you help?

Help us open and grow our brand! In return we want to produce one of the most sensational plant based eateries Southsea has ever seen. 

A truly unique venue with truly exceptional food. Our business will bring new customers and job roles to Southsea while offering an award winning food offering to the local community. 

In addition to our core food offering, we are working with our landlords to provide plant based workshops. Running in Southsea and within our New Forest cookery school we aim to help mentor anyone who is exploring a more plant based lifestyle. Helping the community grow, stay healthy and provide a sustainable and innovative business to Southsea. 

If you are able to give an amount, small or large we will be forever grateful. Thank you. The OFFBEET Team.

This project successfully funded on 5th May 2022