VISITORS to Lydney Harbour are now able to enjoy a quayside coffee following the opening of a new cafe.

The cafe, called Hips Harbourside, officially opened for customers last Monday (December 20) along with new public toilets and a visitor information hub, all of which are part of the district council’s £2.1 million project to regenerate the site.

The coffee shop and eatery will be run by family-run business Hips Social, which already has a cafe on Lydney High Street.

Hips Social owners Lucy and Tom said of the cafe’s opening: "We’re excited to be opening the doors of the cafe to guests old and new and can’t wait to share a coffee with them while they enjoy the harbour."

The district council’s Destination Lydney Harbour Project is being funded by a £2.1 million grant from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, along with council resources.

The council hopes the project will drive growth, improve the experience for visitors and residents and "increase jobs and prosperity" in Lydney.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Paul Hiett, commented: "We are delighted to see the next stage of Destination Lydney Harbour complete; residents and visitors will now be able to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the most beloved spots in the district.

"This is only one stage of the project though, and we are determined that the rest will follow in due course.

"With the public art trail and heritage interpretation set to get underway in the coming months, along with improvements to the harbour approaches and more to follow.

"A community boat building project is also taking shape. 

"I would like to thank our regeneration team, who have worked tirelessly on what is a major regeneration project for the Council and the opportunities that this wonderful area offers are numerous."

Other improvements at the site have included new harbour mooring points and bespoke railings which have been installed outside the properties adjacent to Lydney Train Station on Harbour Road.

Around 150 trees have also been planted on the side of the road leading to the harbour to help boost biodiversity in the area.

After the Christmas break, the cafe will be open seven days a week from 9am until 3pm during the winter with plans to extend the hours in the Spring.

Full opening hours are available on Hips Social’s Facebook page.