Since the closure of Pontins at Camber and the £30 a day parking charge imposed by Rother District Council (now scrapped) many businesses have been finding it very difficult to survive. The weather hasn’t helped either but with summer just around the corner (I must have missed spring or has it not happened yet?) Camber businesses are gearing up for a busy trade.
Traditionally we have seen a mass influx of visitors to Camber Sands over the summer season. The beautiful beaches and sand dunes are a kids paradise with families honing in their sat navs as they make their way here along the M25, M20, A21 and A259, many down from London or DFLs (Down from Londoners) as they are often referred to.
I saw a post on social which proves this theory, written by Frankie Fernando and for those of you who don’t know who I mean, he’s the owner of Frankie’s at the Beach, in the carpark at Broomhill Sands, Camber. I went along to meet him last Sunday and despite the wind and rain, there he was serving his customers whatever the weather, many of whom are repeat visitors. One of his recent visitors was TV personality Ross Kemp who many will remember rose to fame as Grant Mitchell in Eastenders. The food at Frankie’s is so good that this is the second time Ross and his family have enjoyed Frankie’s hospitality at his food kiosk, open seven days a week until the end of the season.
He is now serving locally produced venison burgers and hotdogs as well as giant cookies to add to his already comprehensive menu of eats and drinks and if you fancy an ice cream for afters, Frankie has this covered too as Frankie’s Ices is opposite his food kiosk. No wonder his Trip Advisor reviews are the tops.
So it’s true, Camber does attract the DFLs (well Eastenders at least) and in the face of challenging trading conditions it’s great to see a local business thriving. If you are out walking the pooch, trying to wear the kids out before bedtime or just taking in the sea air at Broomhill Sands, pop into Frankie’s and see why people are coming down from London. Is it just the amazing beaches which attract them or has Frankie got something to do with it?
Image Credits: Frankie Fernando , Nick Forman .