Fast-growing Bristol-based all-day café-bar and restaurant operator Loungers has opened its third Brightside roadside venue ahead of turning the chain into a national brand.
Following on from the opening of Brightside Exeter, pictured, in February and Brightside Saltash in June, the new outlet at Honiton, Devon, began welcoming travellers on the A303 yesterday.
Replicating the interiors from its Exeter and Saltash sites, once inside, visitors are, according to Loungers, transported back in time by a look and feel that is nostalgic and familiar, yet fun and modern, evoking memories and excitement of childhood road trips.
Loungers, known for its suburban Lounge bars and city centre Cosy Clubs, said its Brightside chain shared the same core values – a focus on all-day dining to appeal to a broad audience and a “fierce commitment to value-for-money, run by teams that deliver exceptional service”.
Loungers, which has built its national reach on the success of its early days in Bristol suburbs such as Fishponds, Westbury-on-Trym and on Gloucester Road, believes there is scope to build Brightside into a truly national brand and has ambitious plans to roll out Brightside to all corners of the UK.
Loungers founder and chairman Alex Reilley said: “The South West is now well served by Brightside, so travellers heading down to Cornwall and Devon will be able to experience our reinterpretation of roadside dining.
“We’ve open Honiton slap bang in the middle of the summer holidays, so holidaymakers can rest assured we’re there to make their day that little bit better!
“We’re renowned for good old-fashioned top-notch hospitality and really excellent, wholesome food.
“Throw into the mix warm, welcoming and stylish surroundings and you’ve got something really special.”
A look that has already become a favourite with Brightside visitors, the almost-cinematic interior scheme takes inspiration from the 1970s and 80s, caravan interiors, classic road trip movies and memories of roadside dining and holidays from a bygone era.
The walls are panelled in rich cherry wood veneer inset with British landscape artwork, stone, and a vintage countryside view mural, while the floor is covered in wooden parquet.
The dining area is furnished with creamy Formica-topped tables, with mid-century inspired dining chairs, and booths upholstered with orange and brown striped train seat fabric.
The nostalgia continues in the bathrooms complete with 70s bathroom fittings and terrazzo flooring. Outside is a real treat with crazy paving flooring, caravan awnings to the windows, concrete leaf block screen walls and raised planters creating a restful alfresco oasis.
