A young entrepreneur has opened his first restaurant and bar at Watergate Bay, creating new jobs, with the support of a £162k loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
WAX celebrates the surfer culture of the area and provides fine dining alongside traditional takeaway-style foods such as pizzas, burgers, and fish and chips, which diners can enjoy while overlooking the iconic bay.
The funding from Lloyds Bank helped owner Sam Karkeek acquire the premises at Watergate Bay. Since the acquisition, the venue has been refitted and alongside the restaurant and bar, accommodation has been provided to allow tourists and surfers to stay at the Bay overnight.
26-year-old Karkeek launched the new venue by hiring experienced colleagues he’s previously worked with in the hospitality sector.
During the summer months, WAX doubled its staff to 30 as the area became more populated with holidaymakers. The venue will also host summer events such as live music and sports, and diners can also book surfing lessons at WAX.
Karkeek said: “Opening my own restaurant and bar that celebrates the rich surfer culture of the area has always been an aspiration of mine. It has quickly become a popular venue with locals and tourists, which puts us in good position for continued growth.
“I’m looking forward to establishing our brand further and introducing even more new food and seasonal events.”
