Hotel plans to reopen Nude Food as affordable bistro this summer

Friday 05 April 2024

The former Nude Food restaurant in St Aubin could re-open as an "affordable bistro" as soon as May, according to the new owner.

La Haule Manor teased the opening of a second restaurant last month – but posted earlier this week on their social media that it would operate out of the 'Nude Beach' site.

Rafal Feliniak, hotel manager of La Haule Manor, has now said that the new bistro would keep the same style and feel of the former restaurant.

In November, the founders of the high-profile hospitality business suddenly announced that it had ceased trading, saying that "tireless" efforts to secure further investment had been unsuccessful.

The sites of former Nude Beach at St Aubin, which opened in 2018, and Nude Dunes, which opened at La Pulente in June 2023, have remained empty since the closures.

In January, Jonathan Quérée of Quérée Consultants marketed the La Haule site, with prospective operators offered the chance to take on the lease – this involved an unspecified acquisition fee as well as £20,000 in annual fees covering the lease and licence.

Mr Feliniak said that work was already underway to transform the location into their new bistro.

He said: "We will most likely open as soon as May, as we don't plan any big changes.

"People can expect a nice casual bistro, with some drinks and cocktails and good-quality food, possibly a DJ throughout the day every now and then, or something like that.

"We want to keep it similar to what it used to be, it's just under our umbrella now, with our food and menu. There will be a few other little changes to the inside and outside.

"That's what made the place popular, being available and affordable to everyone, which is what we will also aim for.

"It will open from morning until evening for everyone, both hotel guests and Islanders."

He added that he expected to share more details when the opening date was announced.

The site at La Pulente is still available for outright sale at an undisclosed price.

Since the Nude Food chain collapsed, the company had been ordered to repay debts of around £60,000 – including nearly £20,000 in overdue ITIS contributions.

Creditors of Nude Food Beach Limited and Nude Food Dunes Limited were due to meet late last month to decide how to close the operations of the business, sell off assets, pay off its creditors, and distribute any remaining assets to the owners.

Pictured top: the site, now owned by La Haule Manor. (Dave Ferguson).