Michael Caines on East Devon and beyond

Sidmouth Herald: Michael CainesMichael Caines (Image: Mark Ashbee)

I’d like to start this week’s column by sending my thoughts and best wishes to everyone who has suffered during the past 12 months.

In that time I’ve shared with you some of my highs and lows but I am lucky in that I haven’t lost a loved one to this terrible virus and I still have a job.

Thousands of others have not been so blessed and my heart goes out to them and their families.

It’s been an incredibly difficult year and the future is still uncertain.

For me there is some light at the end of the tunnel but I am taking nothing for granted.

Bookings are now coming in and the summer is looking busy at Lympstone Manor.

We are also excitedly anticipating the opening of Cafe Patisserie Glacerie at Mickeys Beach Bar & Restaurant at the Sideshore in Exmouth on April 13.

The day before that our shepherd’s huts at Lympstone will once again be occupied and, finally, on May 17 it will be business as usual across all of our venues.

That’s when Mickeys will also be fully operational with both the restaurants and take away service launching.

There is one issue I would like to address ahead of then, however.

And that is some of the unfounded criticism we have received with regards to the alcohol licence we have applied for.

There has been speculation in the media that we are gearing up to operate as a nightclub and nothing could be further from the truth.

We are and always will be a bar and restaurant.

My team and I are working with all the relevant authorities to ensure that we meet the strict criteria that is required to be granted a licence and to mitigate any potential issues or concerns.

Some of the comments I have seen are frankly annoying and based on disinformation.

I want Mickeys and Cafe Patisserie Glacerie to be an asset for Exmouth and something the town can be proud of.

My track record, I hope, speaks for itself. I have built my career and reputation on the back of setting the highest of standards and that isn’t about to change now.