Bringing gourmet burgers to Kingsbridge

New to Fore Street in Kingsbridge this year, The Loft brings gourmet burgers and seasonal menus like you’ve never seen them before. With a warm welcome, space for parties and plenty of cocktails, don’t forget to look up next time you head out for dinner! Here, co-owner, Paul, explains what it’s all about…

How did The Loft come about?

We originally planned to take on what used to be The Fat Monkey, and keep it as it was, but the closer we got to the reality of taking the building on our creative juices got flowing and we decided to re-name it completely, keeping just a few choice items from the past. We came up with the name ‘The Loft’ simply because subliminally it tells people that it’s above something, as a lot of people didn’t know it was here. Then we decided to put together a menu of gourmet burgers because we wanted to offer something that the town didn’t already have. We signed the lease in the middle of June, which didn’t give us much time to prepare before opening on 26th July. The back end of the summer was a bit of a baptism of fire, but it went really well, feedback was great and a common phrase was ‘this is just what the top of town needs’. It wasn’t long before people wanted to use us as a venue and started to book events.

What can people expect when they visit?

A really warm and vibrant welcome. People have described it as a cross between a swanky wine bar and street burgers, which seems to really go well together. It appeals to all, families before of after the cinema located right next door, couples, mums and dads and groups of friends. At the end of October we started offering cocktails on Saturday nights as well, so we’re continuing to grow and innovate and give the customers what they want. We also offer beer and cider on draft, along with a selection of wines and gins.

What did you do before The Loft?

At the moment, this is still our evening job! Brooke runs her own cleaning and management business and I work at Toad Hall Cottages by day. I never want to sit still and I don’t really see The Loft as work; it’s so enjoyable, friendly and sociable, it’s just a lovely environment to be in. Eating out is always something we’ve enjoyed doing and being a part of, but only in the last year or so did we start thinking about working in it as well. We have friends in the same industry who have given us great advice and of course it’s something we want to expand and grow. At the moment we are working on a date to introduce Coffee, tea and cakes so it won’t be long before we will be open five or six days a week.

How many members of the team are there?

We have a chef, a waitress, two guys who do alternate nights washing dishes, and as colleague who works with me in the bar, as well as Brooke who helps out as often as she can – did I mention she is also about to give birth! Obviously as we expand, we will take on more people but at the minute It’s a close-knit team who all get on well, so long may that continue!

What are you looking forward to over the coming weeks and months?

We’ve got a special Christmas menu coming out, which we’re really excited about. It’s our own burger-style take on the traditional festive offerings. We will be open all day during the Kingsbridge Christmas market offering Prosecco, mulled wine, mince pies along with tea and traditional coffee served straight from the pot! We’ve also got lots of events – live music, engagement parties, hen parties as well as Christmas parties that have already booked in. New year’s eve will see us open from mId-day through until 2am with live music from 9pm and ½ price drinks during the afternoon so it should be an exciting end to the year!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LOFT