Britain’s poshest beach huts, installed by luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason, have been ruined by a storm just days after opening.
The trio of high-end huts were unveiled last week at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, with guests offered an ‘al fresco feast to remember’ by chef Emily Scott.
But the now lie in ruins after an ‘unexpected storm’ at high tide battered the wooden structures, causing ‘significant but cosmetic damage’, said Fortnum & Mason.
The swish shacks, painted in the retailer’s shade of ‘Eau de Nil’ blue-green, cater for up to four guests and cost between £195 to £395 for a two-and-half-hour slot.
Repairs are now underway to the damaged platform surrounding the huts, with the firm hoping to reopen them as soon as possible.
The huts have been battered by recent unseasonal weather hitting the Cornish coast
This image shows damage done by recent storms that have forced the upmarket shacks to close
The posh beach huts in Watergate Bay have been battered by the elements just days after opening
The huts cater for up to four guests and cost between £195 to £395 for a two-and-half-hour slot
‘Due to an unexpected storm during high tide yesterday evening at Watergate Bay, the platform surrounding our Fortnum’s Beach Huts has sustained significant but cosmetic damage,’ the luxury retailer said.
‘Before launch, all health and safety measures were approved by an accredited body that has since ensured that the base platform remains structurally intact.
‘And because we’re determined that nothing should get in the way of our customers enjoying a wonderful summer Beach Hut experience, we are now completing additional checks on the structure and working to correct the cosmetic damage before re-opening to the public as soon as we can – hopefully when there is a bit more sunshine.’
In promotional material, the retailer says the huts are ‘inspired by the nostalgia of summers spent on the British coast’.
The exclusive seaside shacks were designed by the store and are kitted out with handpicked homeware that includes ‘beautiful rugs and blankets to keep guests warm on chillier summer days’.
To book a slot in the exclusive seaside shacks, beachgoers must buy a Fortnum hamper containing a picnic that ‘combines the very best fresh dishes from independent Cornish suppliers with the store’s famous picnic products’.
High-end grocer Fortnum & Mason opened the trio of beach huts (shown in the rendering above) last week
The huts are kitted out with handpicked homeware that includes ‘beautiful rugs and blankets to keep guests warm on chillier summer days’
A statement last month from Fortnum & Mason, which was founded in 1707 and holds two royal warrants, says: ‘Every beach hut will enjoy the very best hospitality’
The pop-up beach huts opened on July 25 at Watergate Bay (above) near Newquay, Cornwall, but were damaged by a storm just days later
A statement last month from Fortnum & Mason, which was founded in 1707 and holds two royal warrants, said: ‘Every beach hut will enjoy the very best hospitality, including a pre-set picnic table, complete with stylish tableware and table service.’
Its two picnic menus were designed in collaboration with nearby restaurant ‘Emily Scott Food’.
The first is ‘Seaside Picnic’, a hamper priced from £195 for two beachgoers. Inside there’s smoked Cornish trout with ale-infused bread for starters, followed by a Coronation crab sandwich.
As for dessert, there’s fig leaf soft serve ice cream and Cornish cheddar truckle cheese served with Fortnum’s crackers.
A bottle of Fortnum & Mason sparkling tea will also be included in the hamper, along with the store’s pistachio and clotted cream biscuits, savoury ‘181 Sauce’ and a box of cheese sables (cookies).
The second hamper, meanwhile, is the ‘indulgent’ Seaside Feast hamper, which comes in at £295 for two people.
It comes with Cornish trout served with Exmoor caviar and the crab sandwiches are paired with half a local lobster and black truffle mayo. A lemon verbena posset features in the dessert offering.
The huts opened on July 25 with limited bookings meant to continue until September 10.
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