HE MAY be the proud owner of a successful café in Llandudno which has been going strong for 17 years now, but Kevin Rice is still looking to add more strings to his bow.
Kevin, who runs West Shore Beach Café, is soon to become a published author, having written the children’s book, “The Adventures of Billie the Great Orme Goat”, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the Kashmir goats known for roaming Llandudno’s streets freely, the book tells a story of a birthday party Billie is invited to, with cake firmly on his mind, and is due for release in early June.
Kevin said: “It was written a few years ago, but completed during lockdown.
“Illustrated by an award-winning illustrator (Sarah-Leigh Willis), and produced over lockdown, it will be sold in the Tourist Information Centre (on Mostyn Street) and here at the café, and hopefully will be stocked at Waterstones.”
The café itself is, in Kevin’s words, a “traditional beach café”, which prides itself on its longevity, and which has developed a real rapport with its customers in its 17 years.
To Kevin, one particularly fond memory sticks out in his mind – the time the café hosted a birthday party for a 80-year-old man who specifically wanted to celebrate there.
It’s this connection with beachgoers which keeps Kevin going, always tailoring menus to changing tastes and appreciating positive feedback – when he’s not telling stories of ravenous goats, that is.
He added: “We are, at heart, a traditional British beach café. We sell everything you might expect: fish and chips, ice creams, and beach goods such as buckets and spades, frisbees and footballs.
“We make a lot of our own produce such as homemade cakes, quiches and pies.
“Our smoked haddock chowder has to be one of our best-sellers, along with the crab rolls.
READ MORE:
The Italian restaurant now serving afternoon tea
Trader of the Week: A scent of North Wales with Conwy Candle Company
Trader of the Week: Indulge your taste buds at North Wales restaurant
“We find we’re constantly changing to meet customers’ needs, and the menu evolves each year.”
“I’m proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the years and the friendships we have made.
“The first time we were asked to host a birthday party was for a gentleman who was 80, who specified he wanted his party here.
“We opened late for him and we thoroughly enjoyed hosting the event.
“I was honoured to be asked, and it still makes my day each time a customer takes time to say they’ve enjoyed their visit."
West Shore Beach Café, Dale Road, Llandudno, LL30 2BG.
For more information, go to: www.facebook.com/WestShoreBeachCafeLlandudno.
If you’re interested in having your business featured, request a Q&A questionnaire by emailing coastal-news@nwn.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here