Our History
The Venus Company was set up in 1995 by Michael Smith, his wife Louisa, and Lee Porter. Early on, they decided to create a quality concept which encompassed their keen interest in environmental issues. The South Hams based family business aimed to bring the professionalism of the High Street to a beach setting and to acknowledge corporate responsibility towards achieving positive environmental impacts and community benefits.
The first Venus Beach Café and Shop opened in 1995 at Blackpool Sands, near Dartmouth on the South Devon coast, followed two years later at East Portlemouth, opposite the beautiful town of Salcombe on the Kingsbridge/ Salcombe Estuary. Café number three, acquired in 1999 at Bigbury on Sea, was the first café built to Michael Smith’s specification with environmental & operational efficiency taken into account.
In 2002, the Venus Beach Shop at Blackpool Sands expanded to sell quality clothing in addition to everything that a family would want for a day on a beach – bucket, spades and inflatables. By, 2003, Venus business was serving close to 450,000 customers a year.
With confidence in the concept and the right service product, the natural step was to expand into Cornwall in 2004 with a substantial investment in a Venus Café and Shop at Tolcarne Beach at Newquay. Tolcarne historically was ‘The Beach’ of Newquay but had suffered from lack of investment over the last 50 years. Venus worked with the owners of the beach to reposition Tolcarne as ‘Newquay’s favourite family beach’ and the Venus investment has been augmented by the building of luxury apartments right on the beach, newly refurbished toilets and restaurant.
In 2007, Venus centralised its distribution, catering and administration operations at Halwell Business Park, near Dartmouth in South Devon. The investment has a centralised kitchen allowing the company to grow an outdoor catering arm for special functions and wedding receptions. The facility is saving 127,000 transport miles for Venus suppliers, making sourcing of local food products easier. Venus uses sales growth to finance continual improvements and expansion with environmental efficiency built into all developments. Also in 2007, an investments in Blackpool Sands in Devon and Tolcarne Beach in Cornwall created all-weather dining facilities to take advantage of the stunningly beautiful beach settings. Alfresco dining, Mediterranean-style is now enjoyed in the open air, part shade or fully under cover whatever the weather.
At Watergate Bay, Venus has refurbished existing takeaway facilities to offer the full Venus menu of alfresco Mediterranean-style takeaway meals and refreshments. The emphasis is on fast food with a difference using the finest, quality local and organic ingredients sourced from Cornwall and Devon. Venus pays particular attention to children’s meals with an emphasis on tasty organic healthy options. The Venus ethos of “Loving the Beach” fits perfectly with The Hotel & Extreme Academy’s strong commitment to the environment, local economy and social community.
