Would you use a WB biker destination cafe/diner/pub?

Just out of interest, if such a place existed (and was on an easily accessible road, good level parking, plenty of room) that was aimed specifically at bikers - good quality low cost food and drinks, regular events, etc - would it be somewhere you think you'd visit lots as a local biker?

Venues such as Hilltop Diner seem to struggle, but others seem to thrive.

Just out of interest to see if people would get bored of visiting the same place often, or whether somewhere to become a regular haunt would be popular

We'd visit, but it is the drink-drive etc.
If there was a possible camping site or a field that could be used, when attending 'events' like at Calne this year, it makes the whole event look far more attractive.
Especially when you both ride/drive...and you both enjoy a glass of pop or three.

I am with Annie on this one, the issue of drink-driving is massive and could cause issues for people riding further afield.

The top big meets I used to go to in Shropshire died a death because of the amount of riders who were caught drink-riding. Meant more police turning up and killed the atmosphere, a large group of people got irate at the police as we were being "targeted."

Big pubs and loads of people there kind of makes sense not to drink because the police aren't silly. The events were always good at these venues and they often had the Bike Safety guys up there, assessed rides and advice were all part of going. It is a good idea and if somebody is willing to bite the bullet I am sure it will be popular.

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Originally Posted by Dabz

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Just out of interest to see if people would get bored of visiting the same place often...

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I would, but I like variety.

I think we're quite lucky round here with a pretty good choice.

It must be hard making a living running a bikers only cafe/diner unless you do it big time with something like the Ace Cafe.

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Originally Posted by Dabz

Just out of interest, if such a place existed (and was on an easily accessible road, good level parking, plenty of room) that was aimed specifically at bikers - good quality low cost food and drinks, regular events, etc - would it be somewhere you think you'd visit lots as a local biker?

Venues such as Hilltop Diner seem to struggle, but others seem to thrive.

Just out of interest to see if people would get bored of visiting the same place often, or whether somewhere to become a regular haunt would be popular

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If you can achieve the bolded bit then yes. Some places struggle because they charge silver service prices for some of the worst fry ups I have ever eaten. Or they just make half assed efforts at "bike nights" on tiny premises that just aren't suited.

And like Annie says somewhere people can doss if they indulge a little too much on an event. Even if it's just a patch of grass out back where you can string up a poncho.

Alcohol wasn't even on my radar tbh - I was thinking of something similar to hilltop diner, or a decent roadside cafe or the one we like in Shaftesbury etc..my fault for saying pub in the title. Sorry guys..let me change it :(

The background to the question is from a business associate I know who's a biker and considering opening something, so asked me to canvas opinion

The Ace café is a good example of a meeting point for the whole of the country. usually a good ride out and back for a day or enroute to London. Problem here is finding a place big enough for a lot of parking for bike events but needs to be able to pull the punters during the rest of the week. Ace has the name and reputation BUT things have changed in the last 50 years. Do people nowadays really want to stop somewhere now as their bikes dont need to rest like the old days.
those of us old enough can remember 2 pubs in one village, along with a garage and fuel pumps and shop , look how many pubs/ garages and shops have closed between Chippenham and Lyneham since 1970. times have changed and peoples circumstances have also changed.
not putting a damper on it but look also at how many bike shops have closed in the same time, would a road side café survive in todays world?
we are close to closing the business as more and more bikers use forum friends and kids on scooters get their mates to help until they totally mess things up.

the main reason for bikers meeting are shows and events and once a week bike nights, look at the H&C compared to Poole, a bike café would need to establish itself with features and entertainment or good food preferably with camping and toilets with parking and shop and petrol pump nearby.

good quality low cost food and drinks, entertainment etc, then you will attract people who are not only bikers. if you can appeal to all then it will succeed surely? if you target bikers only then i think it would fall on its face. open it to car clubs and the general public and i can't imagine (providing the location is good) it would struggle.

Lots of people pop to fowlers for a mooch around, generally ending up in the cafe, sometimes its good to have a venue you could just pop out too if you had an hour or so spare, have a chat and a bite to eat, especially as there's nothing like that in our area. I have had the same conversation with some of my non biking mates, and they thought it would be a good idea, not just for bikers, but where people can arrive and have a look around the bikes.

Why is Loomies so successful? It has a big parking area, serves decent grub and has some great riding roads on the way there and back. For me, it needs all those things. Same reason why loads of peeps ride all the way to Abergavenny to have a burger in a bus park.

I also like to have a ride down to Loomies a good 50 mile ride from Amesbury. Also like to have a ride to Compton Abbas airfield apart from that steep winding hill just before you get there.

Some interesting responses from both sides of the fence, thanks guys :)

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Originally Posted by Snowy

Why is Loomies so successful? It has a big parking area, serves decent grub and has some great riding roads on the way there and back. For me, it needs all those things. Same reason why loads of peeps ride all the way to Abergavenny to have a burger in a bus park.

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That's the key.
The Ace Cafe is a crap ride, and a dump of a building. The only reason it does well is that they do decent food and they put on "nights"
Go there on an ordinary day and it's dead.

Location or events is the key. I'm afraid the old "build it and they will come" doesn't always work so it would have to offer something that the others don't.
Be at the end of a great road, a place where bikers meet already or attached to an event.

the one thing i will say though is not everyone wants a nice riding road to get somewhere. people in cars who will be your main source of income might not want to drive 50 miles for a burger, no matter how good it may be. a dealership/display thing may draw some but surely if your aiming for a good riding road, it also needs to be a main car road to keep a good flow of business?

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Originally Posted by Snowy

Why is Loomies so successful? It has a big parking area, serves decent grub and has some great riding roads on the way there and back. For me, it needs all those things. Same reason why loads of peeps ride all the way to Abergavenny to have a burger in a bus park.

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Yep, I ride over to the bus park in Abergavenny on average 8 to 9 times a year for the reasons highlighted by Graeme and it is only an hour from my in-laws too. Stop for about 2 hours approx, chewing the fat with other bikers. I always have a mug of coffee and a bacon butty. Most of all the roads are kept in a much better standard compared to Somerset. It is a hard one James - to be fair I think teenagers taking up biking will be in ever dwindling numbers with the amount of hoops in place to jump through now. Difficult for a café to cater for one small sector of customers in the modern climate, but specialised events for biking groups could bring in additional custom to a café which serves decent grub at affordable prices.:cool:

Once you've got the right location, I would say you can't have too much publicity. I like to ride out to Abergavenny, AV8, Poole, George Whites old place etc..... Even though I regularly scan the internet and mags I only heard about the Hill Top at the same time as it closed down. If you consider all the popular destinations we all use, the secret seems to be a bit more than a car park and a definite reliance on revenue from a cross section of users. In answer to the question, yes I'd use a new place to stop for a cuppa.

As mentioned elsewhere, Loomies does well as located in a great area for bikes, my understanding is that it is also used for some car meets and having a garage right next door also doubles as a 'transport cafe' if there is still such a thing so doesn't need to rely solely on the biker coin.
Check it out on a wet Sunday in the winter and very few bikes around, like Poole Quay, the shiny bike brigade are vital if you want to attract large numbers but obviously only during decent weather.
I really enjoy riding out to Shaftesbury, Mere, Yeovil area as very quiet roads but not many places known for bike gatherings, Compton Abbas pretty much only one that comes to mind so would welcome somewhere recognised as a bikers haunt with a decent cup of tea and a pie : )

I'd visit every once in a while. I'm of the school the decides where I'm going based on my mood that day.... But if it's carp I don't usually go back unless the route is really special.

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Originally Posted by Jon_W

I'd visit every once in a while. I'm of the school the decides where I'm going based on my mood that day.... But if it's carp I don't usually go back unless the route is really special.

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I love fishing to hahaha

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Originally Posted by goz1960

I love fishing to hahaha

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Not very good at it, but I love spelling too LOL:D

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Originally Posted by Silver Bird

....... like to have a ride to Compton Abbas airfield apart from that steep winding hill just before you get there.

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Zig Zag hill that's the best bit! :D

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Originally Posted by redken1

Not very good at it, but I love spelling too LOL:D

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I don't like fishing.... I also avoid getting modded for bad language!

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Originally Posted by Jon_W

I don't like fishing.... I also avoid getting modded for bad language!

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Just type crap and see if the swear filter is on or off



I guess its off!

Jon, I was only joking – I just found it amusing that Goz pulled you up, albeit in a light hearted way, for a spelling or typo error and used ‘to’ instead of the correct spelling (usage) as in too. A wise man once said to me,“If you intend to occupy the high moral ground in any area of life, make sure you are beyond reproach.”
:p:rolleyes::)

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Originally Posted by QB1

Zig Zag hill that's the best bit! :D

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I have only ever been up and down the hill a couple of times while riding in a group, if the person in front of you gets it wrong it can make it difficult. Will give the bike in front a lot more space next time so they do not get in the way.:)

Needs a b&b too I'm afraid of camping had grass stains all over knees when I woke up last :(

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Originally Posted by Snowy

Just type crap and see if the swear filter is on or off



I guess its off!

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I think that's conclusive!

If it sells decent food and drink (not necessarily alcohol), and it's a good ride there - then bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!

im of the liking change brigade, same place would get a bit boring

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Originally Posted by Snowy

Why is Loomies so successful? It has a big parking area, serves decent grub and has some great riding roads on the way there and back. For me, it needs all those things. Same reason why loads of peeps ride all the way to Abergavenny to have a burger in a bus park.

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Exactly...
I know a pair of bikers who were looking at doing the same thing in the summer (this year) now changed their mind and spending the 50K they had on a farmy place in France.
I suspect that it would be a long haul, but there's not a lot around here so a possible I think.
Think location, location, location would be the (main) key, but once you have a name as a biker meeting place I'm sure it would be profitable, as has already been mentioned Loomies, H café, Rikers café, Boxhill even the café in the Welsh village that I can't remember the name of (lots will know it though) all seem to keep busy. These days I think one of the key aids to success would be being really active on every forum you could think of, cars as well as bikes.

Re where, we are a bit short of nice roads around here, east we have the A4 and the roads South East of Marlborough, but central Wilts, not a lot (waits to be shot down).

Might be that you would have to choose between going balls out for a biker / car nut café (which would be more likely to attract bikers etc) or playing it safe and trying to attract everybody (bit like the unsuccessful Hilltop Diner - which is open again as you probably know).
Hard call...

Definitely a tough one - the guy I know who's interested in doing this runs loads of businesses and is still very keen when I spoke to him yesterday.

I think the main aim would be a decent level carpark, nice venue with plenty of areas to store kit when it's wet/cold/etc, good honest food, big screen for showing the moto gp, superbikes, etc. Generally be there for the start/middle/end of ride-outs and for evening meets, weekend events.

Whether there would be enough business to sustain it I don't know - it would certainly be very seasonal

As Gerry knows in particular, I've bounded this very idea around for a number of years and have discussed with Gerry numerous times. That might be heart ruling head though..we both love the idea but also both know how tough being in business is - and both our businesses aren't seasonal!

I'll continue to feed this stuff back to the chap I know and see where he takes it :)

It might be worth going and having a chat with richard at the h cafe near oxford,he's been running the cafe for 2/3 years now and might be able to help with ideas/pitfalls for cafe ownership.......

I have passed this on to our managed house director and area managers as we have some pubs in Wiltshire/Somerset/Hampshire with campsites/accommodation

that's certainly very interesting, thanks Kev