Fatboy Slim’s seafront café has drawn criticism for its ‘outrageous’ prices and ‘astonishing’ delays – under a year after dealing with a rodent problem and receiving a poor one-star hygiene score.
The musician, known off the stage as Norman Cook, has held the lease of the Big Beach Café on Kingsway in Hove, not far from Brighton, since acquiring it from Heather Mills, the former wife of Sir Paul McCartney, in 2013.
Nonetheless, the celebrity, recognized for tracks like Right Here, Right Now, encountered demands last October to clean up the establishment following the release of disturbing photos showing rodent droppings and a mouse trap on the counters.
Though the café appears to have undergone significant cleaning, as indicated by its improved hygiene rating of four out of five, numerous locals and guests remain dissatisfied with the service they receive.
Reviewing his experience online, Alwyn Frank said he waited 15 minutes for ‘one black Americano’ coffee.
He continued: ‘Eventually, I inquired about my coffee and was told, “Oh, I never got the ticket,” by the staff member who initially took the order and was standing right there.’
Mr. Frank mentioned that even though a refund was offered, he found it to be ‘truly appalling management’ and noted it was ‘the third order mishap experienced during the wait.’
He added: ‘Any other location would have gone bust a long time ago.’
Fatboy Slim’s beachfront café (above) has come under fire for its ‘crazy’ prices and ‘shocking’ waiting times
The DJ (above) has owned the lease of the Big Beach The Big Beach Café after purchasing it from Sir Paul McCartney’s ex Heather Mills in 2013
Last October the cafe suffered a rodent infestation and was given a one out of five hygiene rating – it has improved now after its latest inspection saw it awarded four out of five
Another customer, Elena Spinelli, said she waited ‘forty minutes for a burger and bagel’, adding that the experience left her feeling ‘unimpressed’.
The spot has faced many setbacks in the decade since the hitmaker took charge, with instances of vandalism proving to be a setback.
Last year’s health probe also found that food was being stored at almost double the correct temperature.
While health standards have improved in the ten months since, customers have been left fuming at the level of service, which they believe falls short of the mark.
A visitor to the café, whose name was listed as Lewis, appeared to criticise the concentration of the establisment’s workers who he accused of being distracted instead of making his order.
He wrote: ‘I understand you need to have some fun at work but do your job at the same time. Twenty minutes waiting for a coffee.
A mouse trap was also pictured last year by council officials (left), while other pictures showed tired-looking chopping boards being used by staff at the site
While the storage of food and health standards have improved in the ten months since, customers have been left fuming at the level of service, which they believe falls short of the mark
Many customers have reviewed their visits to the Big Beach Café – reporting various experiences
‘[I] could see in everyone’s face waiting they had had enough. Sort it out or you’ll lose your customers.’
Berengere Guery added: ‘The prices are crazy, £10.60 for a black coffee and a breakfast bap.
‘I wouldn’t mind too much if the quality was amazing, but sadly not.’
However, not all visitors agree with the scathing verdicts of the Big Beach Café.
Evelyn Mathews said: ‘Service was friendly, we sat outside in the sun and enjoyed our ice cream.’
Agreeing with that sentiment, Jewel Vogel said the shop had ‘great music, lovely staff and amazing food’, adding: ‘I would definitely come back, I would live here if I could.’
‘Great cafe in a great location,’ another quipped. ‘What makes this place so good is the staff and community feel.
‘They make you feel so welcome. Would highly recommend!’
Another review described the venue as ‘nice and cosy, with lots of Fatboy Slim memorabilia.’ It read: ‘A very scenic location on the beach.’
The Daily Mail has approached the Big Beach Café for comment.
