New Ulster Flying Club Airfield cafe at Newtownards EGAD

[sireli]

Hi everyone, my wife and I are looking for your feedback and suggestions or any advice that you may have as we approach the final stages of completing the refurbishment of the cafe next to the ulster flying club. We are hoping to be open before Christmas. We are trying to create a real family/children friendly atmosphere as well as a centre for everyone to get together, including all the helicoptor, UFC members microlight and non flying enthusiasts. However we would really appreciate your input and ideas regarding everything from decor, menu, coffee machines, drinks licence, outdoor, el fresco eating, opening hours... absolutely any ides. What would you like to see?
Thanks for you help. kind Regards, Sireli.

P.S. my 6 year old daughter wants ice cream... so I'm afraid we're going to have to sell honeycomb, pooh beer special in the summer. (thats her favourite.)

[Wingnut]

Hi Sireli,

Looking forward to seeing the cafe open, I think it'll make a real improvement to the club.

I'd like to see good old traditional food, bacon butties, bowls of stew, roast beef sandwiches. Yum yum. Maybe a sandwich bar for when I'm feeling healthy, and of course a good old fry when I'm not... I'm a fan of chocolate muffins too.

Good luck,

Stu

[David Phillips]

Hi Sireli, how about an instructors' discount?

Seriously, I think simple Irish fair is a great way to start. Bacon butties, Ulster fry (weekends only?), good quality coffee (Nespresso?), good tea (in mugs) at a reasonable price, and a bleedin' big sign on the Portaferry Road and new bypass; I think it is important to capture people who haven't necessarily come to fly. The big time to catch people is Saturday/Sunday mornings as that is when we have quite a lot of passing trade. Personally, I would like to see licensed premises that opened when there was a requirement. Traditionally there are a bunch of pilots who come over for the craic on Saturday/Sunday afternoons.

How about you take a trip over to Enniskillen and see what they are doing, successfully. I'll happily take you for free in my own aircraft.

[Sarah G]

Dear Sireli and Leanne,

This might be unpopular, but healthy, organic, locally produced food with fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar would provide an interesting alternative. As a non-carnivore the bacon/stew/ulster fry approach would leave me hungry! I really love your idea of al fresco dining.

As I am just a student and not there every day it would be unfair to take my view into account over others. But don't others agree that something a little more modern would have wider appeal?

Good luck!

Sarah

PS Love pooh bear ice cream!

[declan]

I think you will be able to cater for most types, carnivore and veggies. You have loads of space there and we have been starved for 3 years so you will get plenty of interest.

The cafe/kitchen area in Enniskillen is similar to the one you are constructing but we would have more area for seating. They just have simple table and chairs which suffice fine for dinning . It would be nice to have some more relaxed seating( sofas, armchairs) for the coffee/reading types.

Weston(Dublin) is mainly a table and chair area also very much specializing in hot food sit down, waitress service . Can’t remember if they have relaxed seating up stairs. If we do open up that wall we can simply avail of the seating area in the club lounge.

I suspect bacon butties, Frys, Ulster fry, Sandwiches, sausage rolls , Soup , Toasted paninis . Muffins cakes and pastries. all these will sell and can be flushed down with coffee and tea. 

Advertise the new cafe/restaurant on the Portaferry road . We do have to remove a lot of the negative sign posting in the car park and clubhouse. That wasn’t really thought out properly and will be rectified.

We would aim to try and attract as many people as possible into the clubhouse both members and non-members, flying and non-flying. Visitors should be warmly welcomed as it all adds to the atmosphere of the clubhouse. 

It should be a place where you can spend a few hours relaxing and chatting and may even fly occasionally . You learn so much from just chatting which always helps when you take to the air and fly.

Would be great to organize evening social events but I think we should start simply first.

Declan

PS
Ray Brown has some corner seating which you might be interested in . Its free to a good home. Would be worth a look at

[alurker]

My thoughts would be...MENU, traditional ulsterfry, sausage baps, sodas, sausage rolls etc. burger and chips, fish and chips, chicken goujons, lasagne, sandwiches etc. just like the set up down in eniskillen. if you wanted to offer a specials board for evening like currys or steak etc too.
COFFEE,,good coffee, people are getting fussier about their lattes , americanos, caps etc.
DECOR. Warm. soft seating area great idea. fire would be nice... but don't know how feasible. probably the place could do with some colour as is very white at the moment, something to soften it down. Flatscreen tv to watch football , rugby etc.
OUTSIDE... definately. to me this is the drawcard to get people in off the street. nice sheltered deck area, sun shining , beautiful views, aviation watching, buzz of rotary too. BBQs, cold beer, glass of wine. WOW... there's nowhere for miles that would have that appeal. If that side of things is neglected you have no unique selling point. The outdoor, el fresco side of the business would be my priority. The place would be humming in the summer.
The idea with the door through to the flying club (and also the helicopter centre) is a good one. need everyone on board, microlight boys and air cadets too.
Good Luck, do it right and you'll get loads of support.

[pynetree]

Hi

Just registered so I could post. I am so glad you are opening up a new cafe again, my kids really miss going over to get some lunch and watch the helicoptors. I think you should keep your menu plain and simple and a kids menu too (not processed food though). Irish stew a must in winter and toasties, sandwiches, soup of the day. Ahhh bacon butties a must and fry too. Bagels? scrambled eggs, of course some tray bakes too for afternoon coffee/tea with the kids! It would also be good if outside area was closed off so the kiddies cant escape onto the strip. When do you open? You really need to advertise more, flyers etc advert in chronicle. I will be over when you open with my two kids in toe. Can't wait yipee. Away to tell the kids now. Good luck and hope to see you soon. x

[srabo46]

Really looking forward to having a cafe at the airfield - it will make us attractive to visiting aircraft and open us up to the local population.

Re- suggestions - my only plea is for GOOD coffee!!

Best of luck with it - I will be a regular customer (if I can get enough time between students!)

[sireli]

We really appreciate all your feedback and suggestions and will try our best to accommodate all. Please keep the ideas flowing because we really want to get as accurate feel of the atmosphere and style that everyone is looking for.
Please, also voice any concerns or queries you may have also.
Our challenge will be in marketing the cafe to outside of the airfield so any help or ideas there would be welcome.
Would anyone have any objection to us putting a photo and congratulations card up of your solo or newly qualified pilots... microlight, helicopter and plane?

sarah, I will do my best to accommodate your tastes. How about fish?
scrabo 46 we have invested quite heavily in a fancy coffee machine... I just hope the coffee is as good as it's meant to be.
alurker.. we have decided to go with a starter deck , even though it is winter, but hopefully give people a taste for the summer.
declan.. I will try and talk to ray brown re the seating.
Thanks to everyone again.

[David Phillips]

Sireli, I think the photo idea is fantastic. especially if you manage to catch the microlights, fixed wing and helicopter people.