Village's landmark restaurant to shine again as the Lighthouse

A LANDMARK beach restaurant at Milford is set to reopen in April after being acquired by the same team which runs the Cliff House in Barton.

Set to be renamed The Lighthouse, the former Marine Café on Hurst Road has been leased by husband and wife team Hayley Darbishire and Steve Pillinger, who have been at the helm of Barton’s popular Cliff House for the last four years.

As well as running one business and launching another, the couple also recently celebrated the arrival of their son called Finley.

Hayley said: “It has been a busy few months but we both enjoy a challenge and we see this as a great opportunity to take on this iconic restaurant in a remarkable location.

“Finley is such a good baby - he has been coming along to business meetings all his life.

“Although it will be run as a separate business to the Cliff House with its own menu – the concept of relaxed seaside dining will be very much the same.”

The Lighthouse is set to open in April once a new team of staff has been recruited, and will then be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Hayley said: “Obviously we would really love to say that we will be open for Easter but at the moment it is difficult to be sure.

"Our main priority right now is recruiting a really fantastic team – we are very much in this for the long haul so we want to make sure everything is exactly right.”

Once launched The Lighthouse will feature a small bar area, a 60-seat restaurant and spacious outdoor seating. There will also be a separate 30 seat dining area that will be utilised for private dining, functions and special events.

Hayley said: “We are incredibly excited to bring this wonderful restaurant space back to life – we know that it is a much loved and iconic building and we can wait to begin welcoming people from Milford, Lymington and further afield.

“We are looking forward to creating a new menu and giving local people something they can really enjoy. Just like the Cliff House, the emphasis will be on fantastic customer service and really good food.”

The Lighthouse is currently recruiting front of house and kitchen staff. To find out more email hello@thelighthousemilford.co.uk or to follow the restaurant’ progress follow @thelighthousemilford on Facebook and Instagram.