Visitors to Ainsdale Beach have been enjoying tasty bites and drinks from two pop-up recycled shipping containers this summer, lets find out more…
The recycled containers are currently installed at the entrance to Ainsdale beach. They will be serving hot drinks, cakes and posh fish and chips to beach-goers. Inspiration for the converted pop-up food and drink outlets came from Crosby Marina and other popular seafront destinations around the UK. Planning approval, received in May 2021, was granted for a two pop-up food and drink outlets.
If successful this Ainsdale beach trial could become a more permanent feature on the beaches of Sefton. The B-Eat on the Street Morecambe-based outlet has already won awards for its fish and chips. A similar trial, The Bus Yard, is currently operating at Crosby’s marine lake a few miles down the coast. Offering a pop-up bar and eatery as part of a 28-day trial. The bar is fully licensed and located on the lower deck. The top deck comprises a roof top terrace and kitchen container serving delicious street food dishes. If welcomed by residents and visitors alike this may also evolve into something more permanent.
Beach-going visitors to Ainsdale will be able to enjoy produce from the ‘Fish & Chipping Container’ in June through to October. The shipping containers located opposite Toad Hall are part of plans to improve facilities at Ainsdale Beach. Since the pandemic more people are choosing to staycation in the UK. Making their trip to the beach even more enjoyable will not only be good for the local economy it will be good for the environment. Persuading holiday makers to stay in the UK permanently will cut international flights. We all need to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet if we are going to take the climate emergency seriously.
Conversion Process
A 20ft ISO used shipping container was used to build this pop-up street food outlet. To simplify the process the doors at both ends were retained. The orginal forest green coating and shipping livery also remains. With no respraying and extensive welding works this kept the conversion costs relatively low. Staying true to the ‘recycled shipping container’ ethos the full side wall was cut, hinged and reused serving as a canopy for customers.
While open the canopy is supported by two steel beams, painted to match the container. Access holes for power supply, water inlet and cooking extractors were cut and finished. The ovens, counter and refrigerators were all fitted and installed at the manufacturing facility ready for delivery to Ainsdale Beach. Signage and decking was later installed on-site.
Sefton Council
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
These temporary trials of new food and drink concessions at Crosby and Ainsdale, are in response to regular feedback from visitors and residents, who feel there are not enough hospitality facilities along our coastline. We’ve already been overwhelmed with positive feedback about the local business who are running our trial from Crosby, and hope that we’ll get the same response later this summer when our Ainsdale pop-up begins. The trials aim to balance ways that we can meet the needs of people enjoying our coastal spaces with strict environmental factors and community concerns, and we will be closely monitoring all elements and feedback to see how viable more permanent options would be in the future. We would ask anyone who wants to tell us what they think about these food and drinks pop-ups to get in touch with us by contacting our Green Sefton service. They can do this by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk
According to Sefton Council, as part of the wider investment at Ainsdale, designs are now being drawn up for an off-beach car park. Its hoped this will reduce the impact on local communities who have been affected by irresponsible parking in the past. Options for new toilet facilities are being explored. This along with the food containers trial is all hoped to enhance visitors’ experiences at Seftons Beaches.
Are you thinking of setting up a pop-up street food outlet?
If you like what you see and would like to find out what we can do for you please call 01606 272875 or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page, a member of staff will get back to you within 48 hours. Our designers and engineers have a wealth of experience. We design, build and deliver pop-up street food containers across the UK. What ever you have in mind, if you can imagine it — we can build it.
Further reading
https://inboxprojects.com/5-reasons-to-open-your-new-cafe-in-a-shipping-container/1269
https://inboxprojects.com/cafe-bustelo-converted-shipping-container/1250
https://inboxprojects.com/cool-new-container-coffee-in-dublin/888
