Fife hotel unveils amazing alfresco dining area using old shipping container
and live on Freeview channel 276
Jason Borthwick who runs the Sands Hotel in Burntisland, said the business opportunity presented itself as a result of the pandemic.
He had feared there would be a delay in opening due to waiting on the plans being approved by Fife Council but fortunately, they were given the go-ahead just in time for customers coming in on April 26.
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Hide AdJason, who bought the hotel three and a half years ago, said a team of local tradesmen completed the work in just nine days.
He revealed where the idea came from: “Covid was the driver to try to improve the outdoor space.
"Being allowed to trade outside first rather than inside plus people feeling safer outside, it just got me thinking about it.
"I was looking at various things online, and spoke to a friend of mine who is an architect planner who mentioned containers. I didn’t have an exact design to work to, I was just thinking about what would work and what would look good!
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Hide Ad"I bought a 40-foot container with the intention of using it as a shelter for people to sit in and developed it from there.”
He said there is a service bar featuring a couple of beer taps and a slush machine and ice-cream machine for children.
He continued: “It was really at the last minute that I decided to create the seating booths in it – again just to make people feel a bit safer with a wall between them and other people, but with the front of it being open, people can still feel they are a part of the outdoor area.
"Planning came through at the last minute but the tradesmen had discussed what they were doing and they worked round the clock to get it finished in time. I was delighted with it.”
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Hide AdHe added: “Customers have been loving it and the feedback has been really positive. It has been a successful three years, covid aside, and this might give us another element to that. With staycations being a thing this summer, hopefully the town gets good footfall and we can benefit from it.”