A business idea developed during lockdown by a Swanage couple to sell takeaway pizza has been so successful, they are now all set to open a cafe and pizzeria.
Coastal Crust, which has a unit at Prospect Business Park, off Victoria Avenue in Swanage, was first conceived in 2020 by Kate Trafford with help from her husband Rob.
Rob and Kate Trafford are still providing takeaway pizzas from their mobile trailer at their unit on Prospect Business Park on Thursday and Friday evenings while work continues on getting the cafe and pizzeria up and running
Quality local produce and authentic Italian recipes
The focus on using quality local produce and authentic Italian recipes has really paid off with the business (and pizzas!) growing quickly in popularity.
It started by catering for private parties and then business expanded with their mobile trailer popping up at various events and locations.
Now within three years of setting up, the couple are in the process of opening their own pizza restaurant. They’ve taken on the building on the Prospect Business Park, which was formerly run as the Office Cafe.
The former Office Cafe is being completely refitted
A vision of what the new Coastal Crust cafe and pizzeria will look like when it’s finished
“Hidden gem that people have to seek out”
Kate Trafford said:
“The aim is to open in September – we would have loved to open in time for the summer but we want to refurbish the restaurant in the right way and to a high spec and that’s going to take time.
“We want people to have a quality experience and not have to pay a fortune – not overcharged and underwhelmed. I like to think we will become a hidden gem that people have to seek out and will be delighted when they find us!”
All the pizzas are made from scratch by hand
The Coastal Crust pepperoni pizza is a favourite
Cafe during the day and pizzeria in the evening
While it’s still early stages, the plan is to run a cafe during the day, starting with a good quality full English breakfast with vegetarian and vegan options, plus breakfast sandwiches with healthy options which will be available throughout the day. They’ll also be toasties, filled rolls and pizza slices for lunch including affordable takeaway meal deals.
In the evening it will become a pizzeria with simple Italian starters like garlic flatbread, olives and prosciutto sharing boards, followed by their already popular wood-fired pizzas and for dessert, ice cream sundaes with Baboo Gelato ice cream.
Cocktails will also be on the menu, along with wine and beer brewed in Dorset.
While the price of the pizzas served in the restaurant will have to go up because they will be subject to VAT, the aim is for them to remain good value while not compromising on quality. They’ll also continue to offer a takeaway pizza service.
The wood-fired oven gives the pizza a completely authentic Italian taste
There’s nothing ordinary about this Margherita pizza!
“Great place to work”
Kate added:
“We really hope to create not only an excellent place to eat but also a great place to work, where everyone will feel part of a team.
“We’ll be looking for staff when we open in September, so if anyone is interested, they are welcome to contact us and we can start exploring options.”
There is even an aspiration to provide a pizza delivery service in the future, once the cafe and pizzeria is established. This is something that is bound to be very popular with local residents and visitors alike.
The new premises for the Coastal Crust cafe and pizzeria on the Prospect Business Park
Kate Trafford has grown her idea from small beginnings in 2020 and is now on the brink of running a cafe and pizzeria in 2023
“Can’t wait to welcome everyone when we open!”
Kate said:
“We really feel we are part of Swanage now and the tremendous support that we’ve received from the local community has given us this opportunity to open the cafe and pizzeria. With continued local support, we will keep flourishing all year round.
“We were very excited when all the work started on fitting out the new premises and amazed by the great response we had on social media when we announced our plans – we were totally blown away. We just can’t wait to welcome everyone when we open!”
Further information
- More about Coastal Crust is on its website
