Licence application signals start of second season for seafront café

Saturday 16 March 2024

A former midwife who moved from business-with-families to a family business has extended her seafront café, and now hopes to offer the option of a beer or glass of wine with meals.

Assisted by her parents, husband, three teenage children and dog, Clare Carney is the driving force behind Little Gem, a café tucked behind the parish hall in St Aubin.

The venue has recently opened for its second season since Mrs Carney took it over, with a recent makeover giving Little Gem greater flexibility to cope with whatever the weather throws at it.

Pictured: Little Gem is named after the initials of Mrs Carney's three children: George, Edward, and Mimi.

Having formerly had just a handful of indoor tables, the extended café boasts a significantly increased capacity, while canvas "windows" can be rolled up to enhance the sunshine and sea breeze when weather conditions allow.

Mrs Carney also hopes to gain a licence so that diners can enjoy a beer or glass of wine – her application was approved at a parish assembly and will be considered by the Licensing Assembly on 21 March.

"We had a lot of requests from customers last year, so it seemed like the right time to apply," she said.

"If we're successful it would be a lovely addition and mean people could have a local beer or cider with their meal."

Pictured: The Little Gem menu is full of local ingredients.

Jersey produce features prominently on the menu, including sourdough bread, eggs and even ice cream for dogs.

Little Gem is a genuine family affair, with Mrs Carney calling on the services of her three teenagers – twins George and Edward, plus daughter Mimi – and her parents, Lorraine and Mick Hall, as well as her husband Paul during time off from his day-job.

Luna the dog also provides a welcome to canine visitors.

Mrs Carney, who had no experience in hospitality before leaving her job as a midwife in the maternity unit at the General Hospital, said there'd been a very positive reaction since the venue reopened at the start of March.

Pictured: Little Gem customers may soon be able to swap their coffee for a beer or glass of wine if Mrs Carney's licensing application is approved.

"We felt a bit of pressure during February when people kept walking past and asking us when we'd be open," she said.

"People in the village have been really supportive and we've got lots of regular customers, plus quite a few tourists already, so it's been quite a promising start to the season."

Although the prime focus is on day-time trade, the venue may open for occasional weekend evenings, including fish-and-chips on Fridays, once warmer summer weather arrives.