General Discussion
Old Coastguard Cottage
I hope you don't mind my coming onto this site. I don't live in Dawlish but have been on holiday there many times.
When I was in Dawlish in the summer I noticed that the Old Coastguard Cottage(on the cliff footpath off Exeter Road) was closed. If my memory serves me correctly it used to be a lovely little cafe. What has happened? Is it still empty? What a shame. Not only has Dawlish lost a lovely asset but unfortunately it does look a bit of an eyesore. Can't anything be done to make use of it? It is such a waste.
Sorry Local I can't find anything - probably me being a bit thick. Can you give me fuller directions ( or an answer?)
Found page 5 now! However, all it tells me is what I (and others) already know which is that what was once a loveley situated cafe is now a run down and empty eye-sore. Someone local must know who owns it and why no work is taking place on it to get it up and running again.
What news locals?
I think you'r having a laugh, but i'm a very patient person.
LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE,
You will see figures, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.
CLICK ON NO 5. O.k.!!!!!!!
Local - Like I said above I did actually, eventually, realise what you meant and indeed looked at the thread. All it has told me is that the cafe is no more. It doesn't tell me what people, local people, know about its future/who owns it/why nothing is being done to it.
So......does anyone local know? It is such an eyesore something really does need to be done.
When did you last see the old coastguard?
It is not an eyesore, there is someone living there and christmas lights outside.
Ithink it had planning to convert it into living accommodation.
I last saw the coastguard cottage/cafe in the summer when I was in Dawlish on holiday. It was empty then with lots of rubbish/building material visible through the windows. Has it moved on from that state now then? Is it occupied? It would be great if it is no longer going to waste.
Anotherlocal .. has just told you.
Yes it was a mess in the summer, but Ive not walked by recently. No chance of a good business there as is too far for holday people to walk and the access.
I would have thought it could be really good business there especially during the summer time. At High Tide you have to go past it if you are trying to walk along the seawall. That, plus a little bit of advertising could work wonders.
Anyhow - if it is now a private dwelling, c'est la vie. At least it isn't empty.
Dear Holiday Maker,
Thought you might like to know that but 15 minutes ago I walked passed the coastguard's cottage/cafe that you have been talking about and guess what? IT'S EMPTY!! And....all those bits of wood can still be seen through the windows.
So quite which coastguard cottage/cafe those other locals (see postings above) have been talking about saying that it had christmas lights 'n all is beyond me.
Fact remains: it's empty, it's an eyesore and it shouldn't be either. And, of course, it goes without saying that someone down here knows all about it. So please can we all know why it is in the mess that it is? And why is nothing being done about it?
I walked past there on Sunday at about 4pm there were lights on inside also blue decorative lights outside.
I don't agree about it being an eyesore, maybe the bits of wood you can see through the window are the result of someone working on the place.
If it had blinds or curtains no-one would even think to criticize as it's tidy on the outside.
those bits of wood have been within eyesight for probably the past year or so. And yes I agree curtains or blinds would help so why aren't they there then? Is that because the place is empty? (which it is). Why? If it can't be a viable cafe perhaps it could be a viable home for someone? We have a housing crisis don't we?
At last! Walked past the coastguards cottage/ex cafe earlier today and guess what? Someone was (at long last) removing those old bits wood that could be seen so easily and which were a terrible eyesore.
Wonder if there will be any more developments?
The wood is covering the windows, as some school kids find it extremely funny to smash the glass with stones whilst they are walking past on the way to school, or to get drunk/stoned/mug OAPs' or whatever it is they do.
The guy has already replaced some glass, which was then again broken 2 days later.
Funny way to walk to school!
Perhaps if the cottage was lived in this alleged stone throwing at windows wouldn't happen?!
Last time I looked the wood was inside, stacked up on the floor. Surely if wood was needed to protect the glass in the windows perhaps the windows having shutters or having wood across them from the outside would be more effective?
Excuses.
Just walked past it.
Still got wood plainly and clearly stacked up inside. Still looks an eyesore. If we are trying to revamp Dawlish then we all need to pull our weight. If it can't be a cafe with a great location then please can it be something, anything....but not empty!
The owner has split the building in two.
One part is almost finished, apart from he is continualy replacing windows because of the actions of some kind soul.
The other half should be started on once the first half is finished.
Its OK for people to make random posts telling the guy what to do with the place, but its him thats got to find the money to fund it all.
Yes, the place is in a great location, but for a cafe its too far away from anywhere to make a profit.
thank you Anon - at least we have some news and good news at that. why didn't you tell us before if you knew what was going on?
Appreciate the point that it is easy for others to say what should be done when they aren't the ones who needs to raise the funds to do the work needed. However......
can I ask one more thing - and it won't cost a penny - please can the 'closed' sign be removed? As the cottage is no longer a cafe there is no need for a sign at all is there and to have one saying 'closed' only adds to the sense of neglect.
What are the buildings going to be used for once they have been renovated?
Walked past it yesterday. Old bits of wood still in full view inside property. Old sign still showing 'Closed'.
Why is it still an eyesore when it could be so attractive?
No.
How much work would it take for goodness sake to remove the wood and take down the sign.
If whoever owns it hasn't got the financial wherewithall to do something with it why don't they sell it?