23 Feb Tides Coffee Shop in Fareham Marina
Tides Coffee Shop serves up tasty food – and stunning views
Good food with a spectacular view is on the menu at Tides Coffee Shop in the chandlery at Fareham Marina.
The tiny café in the old mill on the cobbled quay is the perfect spot for those wanting a break from the busy outside world – including the swans, who often wander up to see what all the fuss is about.
Lovely views across the water accompany good, locally-roasted coffee and delicious home-baked cakes.
Already a popular spot with locals and visitors, Tides offers coffees, hot chocolates, hot sausage baps and bacon rolls, paninis, jacket potatoes and bagels, as well as indulgent waffles and an amazing range of sweet treats.
Tides is a labour of love for manager Jackie Tribbeck, who gave up her steady job at the council when she saw the chance to rent the space at the chandlery.
“I’ve lived in the area for about 15 years, and I had always complained about there not being a coffee shop around here,” she says.
“I had walked past this building and always felt a pull towards it, so when the café space in the chandlery came up for rent, my daughter sent me the details.
“I just laughed, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about it!”
Jackie, who worked in admin and had been at the council for the last 10 years, went to visit the café twice – and then handed in her notice.
“I had a nice secure job working three days a week with all the benefits that came with it, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
“Yes, it’s hard – I’ve probably worked harder now than I’ve ever worked – but I figured fear of failure is one thing, but the regret of not going for it would have been bigger.
“If I had walked past this and it had gone to someone else, I would always have been kicking myself.”
With the help of her family and her small team, Jackie has put her own stamp on the café, installing floor-to-ceiling glass in between the old sliding barn doors to give panoramic views across the water.
She’s hung the ceiling with old fishing nets and twinkling fairy lights and set comfy sofas and armchairs against the mellow brick walls.
Light from the picture windows spills across the wooden floor as boats bob on the water below, and the views stretch across the marina to the lush greenery of the Cams Golf Course on the other side of the water.
“Everyone says how lovely it is. It’s very still on the water – it’s like a mirror. We’re very lucky to have this spot on the cobbles. People who have lived here all their lives say they didn’t know this place even existed!”
Jackie believes passionately in supporting other small, local businesses, and serves coffee ground from beans roasted at LowTide in Portchester, and cakes made by local baker Ellie Rice, who runs Cakes at 82.