The Little Beach Hut Company – Creating Memories for Families
“It’s a home away from home, on the beach, it’s a perfect staycation! Everyone’s been parted from their loved ones for so long, due to Covid-19 and now it’s an ideal time for it, everybody gets a chance to get together. And what better place than on the beach, with the sunshine. You’ve got everything you may need in our beach huts, we have covered everything!” – Louise and Karina
Waves gently kissing the shore, sun tickling your face, gentle breeze, sand in between your toes... what could be better than a day on the beach? We are lucky to be so near to the lovely Mersea Island, with its rich history, peaceful atmosphere, fishing village community and gorgeous views across the whole island. It’s filled with friendly, kind people, variety of small, fantastic businesses, surrounded by the sea and peppered with small, colourful beach huts. Mersea is a perfect choice for holidays and days out, a place for creating new and exciting memories!
A few weeks ago, I was lucky to visit the West Mersea beach, on a sunny, warm Sunday morning. There I met with Louise and Karina, two best friends who have recently took over a small business, previously owned by another two best friends – Jane and Jayne.
Those, who have been following Colchester Streets for a while, might remember us talking about The Little Beach Hut Company in 2019. Well, it was an absolute pleasure to revisit, meet the new owners and learn all about them and their business.
Louise and Karina have sadly lost their mums and after receiving an inheritance they have decided to make a lifechanging step and purchase The Little Beach Hut Company.
“It’s in memory of our mums, this makes it feel like we’ve always got a bit of them with us. Kitty is very much like Lou’s mum, it symbolises sunflowers, sunflowers are very important to Lou. Whereas Peggy has a boat on its front. My brother sadly passed away when he was 25, he had a boat and he loved boats, and wanted to buy my son a boat, but then my mum bought him a silver plated one, to go into his room, just a decorative one. Then we saw a boat on Peggy, and I felt like it was another sign. Lou identifies with Kitty and I identify with Peggy, we have both got our own parts in it. Carrying our mums with us all the way and when we eventually retire, we can pass it on to our children.” – Karina
Louise and Karina have definitely kept the essence of The Little Beach Hut Company, but added a bit of their own personality to it. “Why change something that isn’t broken? The company has such a good name and Jane and Jayne are so respected on Mersea, so known, so we never wanted to come in an make loads of changes, there simply was no need, they did such a great job!”
Louise and Karina own four beach huts, three came from Jane and Jayne and another one they acquired recently.
Kitty
Kitty is a large front row hut with a maximum of six people, in and out of the hut including babies and children. She has interior glass doors, a back opening window, solar panel for lighting and charging your phones etc and a sink for washing up.
Kitty – is their hero hut and is well known amongst the locals, because of its red and white stripes, it stands out. She is decorated in shabby chic style and according to Louise and Karina, is very Instagramable.
Kitty is a finalist in The Beach Hut of The Year Award 2017
Kitty
Kitty
Peggy – is more of a family orientated hut, bigger in size. She is more neutral so, it ticks all the boxes for anyone who would like to rent a beach hut, would that be a family, couples, or friends.
Peggy is a front row hut with a small decking area. She has inner glass doors, a butler sink and two gas rings.
Peggy
Peggy
Peggy
Peggy
Peggy
Bertie – is a nautical, seaside themed, playful, ”cheeky chappy beach hut”. Smaller in size but packed with everything you may need for a lovely day out on a beach.
Bertie is a smaller hut beautifully decorated in our quirky shabby chic style with a hardstanding base at the front and is very close to the cafe and the public conveniences.
Bertie is situated on the front row making it ideal for families with children. The maximum number of people allowed at Bertie is six in and out of the hut, including babies and children.
Bertie
Bertie
Bertie
Bertie
Lottie – is a more modern beach hut, the newest addition to the business. She has a fresh feel, decorated with plants and succulents.
Newest addition to The Little Beach Hut Company - Lottie
Lottie is a large front row hut with a maximum of six people, in and out of the hut including babies and children. She has a front patio for seating.
Lottie
Lottie
Beach hut rent prices vary from £60 to £80, plus any add-ons you would like on top. Of course, the prices may vary if you book the huts for more than one day, a small discount is added on.
The beach huts are all whimsical, charming, cosy and full of love. I think this is down to the fact that a lot of the decor was sourced locally and are made by people who live on the Island – even down to the cushions and blankets! It’s a beautiful way to support one another as a community.
Louise and Karina are both big supporters of women in business and therefore, work with small business owners who are women. The Little Beach Hut Company offers catering – The Gilt Rooms for cream teas, full afternoon teas and children's full afternoon teas. If you are more interested in experiencing Mersea Island, as one of the biggest suppliers of oysters and fresh seafood, you can request a seafood platter from the Dukes Seafood.
And it doesn’t stop there, you can also order balloons for any occasion, so when you arrive and open the beach hut doors, you find a lovely balloon arrangement for your special day. Flowers and prosecco are amongst the extras too.
All four beach huts are pet friendly, they have dog bowls and hooks on the end of the decking for the lead.
Louise and Karina love family life, love time with their kids and are so very happy that their beach huts are being visited and enjoyed by all generations, children, parents, grandparents; and they are enjoyed to the fullest! That can be seen by the many positive reviews The Little Beach Hut Company receives.
It was a great pleasure to meet these wonderful women and hear all about their business and life. I believe that The Little Beach Hut Company is in excellent hands and Jane and Jayne would be more than proud!
If you are interested in renting a beach hut, check their availability here or get in touch with Louise and Karina via email. And don’t forget to follow their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages!
Colchester Streets | Professional Photographer