Pub, bar and restaurant recommendationsForum users' comments on the best places to eat and drink ashore, anywhere in the whole wide world (but preferably close to water)
Has anyone had a meal in this establishment or even found it open to have a beer or coffee ? It's never open when its supposed to be and someone has updated their board at the marina entrance inviting passers by in for a drink and meal with the words "Don't bother: It's closed again" If. the owners of this business have no intrest or intention of offering an alternative to the established eateries in Gosport, then could they please pack up and allow someone else to run the site. It couldn't be any worse than the current situation. A great opportunity being lost for whatever reason.
I Couldn't disagree more with all of you! I have recently visited Coburns if you are talking about the gosport marina based bar after a wild sail from Chichester and have to say the staff made my wife and I feel very welcome food was excellent. Better than a bog standard pub anyday. We will be returning.
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I Couldn't disagree more with all of you! I have recently visited Coburns if you are talking about the gosport marina based bar after a wild sail from Chichester and have to say the staff made my wife and I feel very welcome food was excellent. Better than a bog standard pub anyday. We will be returning.
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Its interesting that you have only 3 other posts all of witch suggest you are a member of QHM's Volunteer harbour patrol.
Now coupled with that fact that I know Clive(Lease holder/manager of coburns) IS A member of the VHP I am guessing you are either a friend of Clive's or indeed maybe Clive?
Ops ever so sorry I was under the impression these threads include positive and negative views, I didn't realise we are only aloud to complain about venues we visit, Ps I also know Clive but have so far only visited the bar once recently he wasn't in himself but the place was definatly open. However feel free to ignore a persons positive impression and why don't you guys all just continue to moan it would seem YBW's forum was set up for you all!!!
So anyone who holds a different view to you is a moaner ? Coburn's has been in the marina for about 12 months and as a berth holder I can only express my disapointment that this venture has made such little impact on the the marina. There are 500+ boats here and as far as I am aware there has been no effort to market this business by way of sample menu information or offers to berth holders. The "bog standard caff" was never going to win awards for anything, but they provided a basic reliable source of food and drinks during their published opening hours; they seemed to do a reasonable business from the marina and were there when they said they would be. Coburn's seems to be run for the convenience of the owner with little regard for the needs of berth holders ie. early opening for breakfast and basic grub and drinks throughout the day. I can't believe that Coburn's is making any money and unless they pull their finger out they will have lost whatever chance they had of making a profitable business from the marina. Perhaps the owner is too wealthy to bother and is more interested in his QHM VHP hobby. Perhaps as you know the owner you can have a word and explain that so far ..... totally unimpressed.
I have waited patiently for Coburns to come up to scratch or even show signs of improvement. It is all very disappointing. Food was good for a while with the French Chef but he quit over I believe a disagreement. Since then food has been from Iceland, even the McCoy's crisps come from a multi-pack marked 'not for individual sale'. There is a Barbeque there on Bank Holiday Monday starting at 1pm but the food will be the cheapest possible budget food from Iceland. Worse than Happy Shopper.
I wanted this operation to work for Clive as he put so much effort into getting it up and running. He had an uphill battle against the local flats etc but now that it is running it fails to deliver in every aspect.
Every client I have had on board who has eaten at Coburns has advised all subsequent clients to go to the Castle instead. As another post has suggested "The portacabin cafe was so much better." I also found the new bar staff unwelcoming.
I would totally agree with all of the negative comments that have been posted about this place. Frankly, I am amazed that it is still in business. The owner definitely seems to think that customers are there for his convenience and makes no attempt to make you feel welcome. My wife and I went there two or three times but have now vowed never to return and also to make sure that anyone we meet is aware of just how dire the place is. The final straw for us was witnessing the French guy (cook and barman) being verbally abused by another staff member in front of the customers....all four of us. When we said to the owner that we thought this was unacceptable 'front of house' he told us to mind our own business. We have, and we have taken that business elsewhere. The French chap was the only one there who had any understanding that the restaurant and bar trade is people business. I am pleased to hear that he has moved on, hopefully to somewhere where he will be appreciated as he was way too good for Coburns. Given some of the comments on this forum I dont want to be perceived as a whinger. Gosport Marina is a great place with a fantastic staff and, now, excellent facilities. we were berth holders there for nearly 10 years and still return as visitors from time to time. we DO NOT however, return for the ambience and welcome at Coburns and Premier would do well to take steps to disassociate themselves from the person running the place and get someone else in asap to do a better job.
The place was pretty good when we went about 2 months ago. Agreed the astmosphere was not the best, but....the simple home cooked food was good and the portions were large and they served us at 10PM
However, on many previous visits the place was could not be compared with the experiance above, it was awful. The above visit was the first with the new manager and i was hoping that it was looking up, It seems i may be dissapointed on my next visit. However, I will give coburns the benefit of the doubt on this occasion, unless they are poor again as many have stated, in which case it will be final visit. There is a captive market, all they need to do is be open, provide decent food and a friendly atmosphere.
The marina are limited in what they can do as Coburns lease the building from them and as long as they make the lease payments then there is not a lot that Premier can do other than express their dissapointment at the operation to date. Even during the month of August it has been quiet with only a few customers so it will be dead once the holidays are over. Its a great shame that the owner got his hands on this site as its stopping someone else making a go of it. I understand Clive the owner has other restaurants, anyone know where and what they are called so I can avoid.
Coburns On The Water - Gosport
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