The National Trust has been criticised after a beach cafe that has served walkers, swimmers and sunbathers for decades was bulldozed.
Middle Beach Cafe, a wooden-clad eatery in Studland, Dorset, was closed amid fears that coastal erosion meant it would soon become unsafe for visitors.
But supporters of the much-loved cafe insist the building, which Enid Blyton is likely to have visited during her regular holidays to Studland, was at no imminent risk.
Some of them gathered at the site to watch a demolition team make short work of levelling the cafe.
Andrew Parsons, a local resident who fought to save it, said: “There was nothing wrong with the cafe and it was not falling into the sea. It is outrageous what has happened to it. It isn’t a listed building but it is a historic building.
“There are people who have been going down there for generations who are very sad to see this happen. We will no longer be able to have a cup of tea and a slice of cake or a sandwich with that million-dollar sea view.”
A new temporary catering unit has been set up back from the beach. Parsons said: “The replacement cafe is in a car park surrounded by swirling dust.”
Lovers of the cafe turned out in force for a final cup of tea when it shut in January, with some of them taking to social media to mark the moment.
Dianne Leonard, one of the last customers, wrote: “Saying goodbye to my favourite cafe in the whole wide world as it closes its doors for the final time today … Bloody climate change!”
Tracie Harris said: “My last breakfast today at the Middle Beach Cafe in Studland. End of an era. Great food. Great staff. Great memories.”
Reviews on the cafe’s TripAdvisor page have a melancholy air. The top one reads: “Today we lose a wonderful slice of old Dorset that has been a firm family favourite for decades, such a sad loss thanks to the National Trust’s coastal erosion policy!”
A planning statement submitted to Dorset council states: “The proposed demolition of the existing cafe buildings is necessary in light of the considerable risk of building collapse as a result of coastal processes and slope instability.”
A spokesperson for the conservation charity said: “Work on the demolition of the former cafe at Middle Beach has now started. This will take around two to three weeks.
“Coastal change, accelerated by climate change, is impacting Middle Beach at Studland, cared for by the National Trust. The current sea defences have failed to prevent change and coastal erosion has meant that the former Middle Beach cafe is now close to the cliff edge and would shortly become unsafe for visitors and staff.
“Planning consent was granted in February 2023 for a temporary catering unit to be positioned on the clifftop at Middle Beach with views out to sea and Old Harry Rocks, and for the former cafe on Middle Beach to be demolished.”
