West Meon Hut - Caffeine & Machine
Discussion
Deranged Rover said:
ecsrobin said:
I see it as a good thing as it should keep those who want to mess about when leaving under control. Although the traffic lights no doubt will encourage some launches.
Indeed, there's plenty of epic t
ttery from motorbicyclists leaving Loomie's currently.
Zephyr Speedshop said:
seen quite a lot of negativity about this, within the car community. i don't really understand why on the locksheath classic page one guy claiming this will cause more deaths ???
I can only see it as a positive. Caffeine and machines other sites work with the police and there's often a police presence. They are also really hot on people acting up .
its the perfect spot for it too as there aren't actually any houses nearby. probably over a 1k to the nearest private dwelling. you already have west meon MX track there on the hill and Loomies has been there for years. and let's face it the bikes are the noisiest of everyone and they are already going there.
you got average speed cameras in 3 directions from it too. apart from the extra traffic. I don't really see how it's going to cause much fuss.
I can't wait to have something like this locally . b road hunters and fuelled are too far to just nip to on a spare weekend morning. I think I'll end up abit of a regular. keeps me out of the house so SWMBO can't make me do DIY.
I’m in 2 minds. The Birmingham massive that go to the original can be annoying the few times I’ve popped in. The downside to west meon is the catchment within an hour is huge compared to the other venues as it’s very populated. I can see it being a struggle to get a space. You also have a huge lay-by next to it so I can see that being used by those that don’t want to pay. I can only see it as a positive. Caffeine and machines other sites work with the police and there's often a police presence. They are also really hot on people acting up .
its the perfect spot for it too as there aren't actually any houses nearby. probably over a 1k to the nearest private dwelling. you already have west meon MX track there on the hill and Loomies has been there for years. and let's face it the bikes are the noisiest of everyone and they are already going there.
you got average speed cameras in 3 directions from it too. apart from the extra traffic. I don't really see how it's going to cause much fuss.
I can't wait to have something like this locally . b road hunters and fuelled are too far to just nip to on a spare weekend morning. I think I'll end up abit of a regular. keeps me out of the house so SWMBO can't make me do DIY.
But let’s wait and see how it works out.
Zephyr Speedshop said:
It's probably st I've never been 
But they attract some incredible cars to go and see. I guess it's across between a car show, meet and pub/cafe. It's ticketed because there so over subscribed. I imagine it's part of there licensing.
I think you need a ticket as a walkin on the weekend as well.
"Currently, paid tickets are required at all our sites between 9am and 4pm on weekends and bank holidays, and from 5pm on Wednesday evenings. Outside of these times, no booking will be required to visit. "
So just swing by on a weekday. If you don't want to pay.
Where else would invite you to bring your car inside?
For me that’s the good bit, generally at the other sites passing mid week will always be something interesting to see for free and grab a coffee. t I've never been But they attract some incredible cars to go and see. I guess it's across between a car show, meet and pub/cafe. It's ticketed because there so over subscribed. I imagine it's part of there licensing.
I think you need a ticket as a walkin on the weekend as well.
"Currently, paid tickets are required at all our sites between 9am and 4pm on weekends and bank holidays, and from 5pm on Wednesday evenings. Outside of these times, no booking will be required to visit. "
So just swing by on a weekday. If you don't want to pay.
Where else would invite you to bring your car inside?
Max M4X WW said:
C&M agreed with me when I said the above on a Facebook post when someone was talking about "their local". I guess it's whatever customers and or C&M want it to be.
Well a local is what you want it to be. But considering they have the same setup as the pub that closed before they took over I don’t know how you can’t call it a pub? They have their own beers on taps, a bar drinks fridges behind like a pub, serve food like a pub. They do have a coffee and cake counter now but many pubs now offer similar to maximise the use of the venue. The only difference is they have a shop to buy merchandise. However they have done a great job of it, it looks great and I will happily pop in to meet friends Monday to Friday when it’s free but I can’t see myself paying to get in at a weekend.
What it does well though is having a motoring theme attracts petrolheads. I went last week and 2 Alpine’s, 2 GR Yaris’s and a few fast German machines so I suspect there will always be some interesting cars and people to chat to.
BIRMA said:
We popped over last Tuesday and concluded pretty much what you have said, we'll quite happily visit the place during the week but will avoid week-ends. Food was okay a burger and chips and a couple of coffees cost us £20 each. I'm sure it will be a success.
We ended up eating at Loomies £13 for food and drink obviously more dated inside but always an option. liner33 said:
The ticket thing works really well in stopping the nutters misbehaving , since you put the reg on there and there is a s**t list of those that dont act respect ably
Also allows the control of numbers by limiting tickets meaning less disruption on local roads
I like the whole ethos and food/drinks ordering process, can even take the wife there
Wish them all the best and I will no doubt visit a couple of the places this year
They also have ANPR. Also allows the control of numbers by limiting tickets meaning less disruption on local roads
I like the whole ethos and food/drinks ordering process, can even take the wife there
Wish them all the best and I will no doubt visit a couple of the places this year
Max M4X WW said:
I went today for the first time (and obviously paid, which was fine as it guaranteed entry), and overall, it was good.
The carpark seemed a bit small (obviously, they had the planning rejected to expand), but it didn't take long to look around what was parked up, and it would be better with more space.
From memory, a Pint of C&M larger, a bottle of Diet Coke, and a posh bottle of apple juice were £13. A burger with chips, fish tacos, and kids' pizza with chips were £31. Annoyingly, I had to order this from two different places (bar/table service), and if I wanted a coffee, I think I may have needed to go to a third, but maybe I had it wrong!
Most people don't seem to realise that you get half your ticket price off your food too.
Car park planning wasn’t rejected it was withdrawn (not sure why). The carpark seemed a bit small (obviously, they had the planning rejected to expand), but it didn't take long to look around what was parked up, and it would be better with more space.
From memory, a Pint of C&M larger, a bottle of Diet Coke, and a posh bottle of apple juice were £13. A burger with chips, fish tacos, and kids' pizza with chips were £31. Annoyingly, I had to order this from two different places (bar/table service), and if I wanted a coffee, I think I may have needed to go to a third, but maybe I had it wrong!
Most people don't seem to realise that you get half your ticket price off your food too.
Regarding ticket and discount it’s £5 for food and drink from the ticket price. £10 if booked under a month and £7.50 over 1 month.
Max M4X WW said:
True, but I assume they got word and withdrew it. Pretty common, I think.
Yes I believe common and saves having a rejection on file I guess. I suspect they will get this summer out the way and then resubmit if there’s been no complaints from residents it will then work in their favour as they can prove it works in the area. chris4652009 said:
Has the food in loomies improved since pre-Covid?
I’ve eaten there a few times since Covid (but not before) they’re not going to win a Michelin star bit then they’re not trying to. Burger was better than a far more expensive one that I had elsewhere so I’d put it middle of the road. More than happy with what I got for the money. Gassing Station | South Coast | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff