How does living on the Isles of Scilly and your surroundings inspire you?

Living on the Isles of Scilly has it’s pros and cons but it is where we all grew up, love and are proud to call home. To be able to source produce from the land and sea around us has been important in the running of our café and to then enjoy the islands' beauty on days off, is so precious. We were inspired by island life to choose fresh, nautical-style decor throughout, lately including the new apartment names.

What makes your business unique?

Colin and Amy Jenkins with sister, Suzy Hiron; that’s us! We took over the lease at Longstone in 2016, with a vision to bring it back to life.  Having grown up on the islands, and in Colin’s case having a long history here (his family dates back to the 1600s on Bryher), we wanted to ensure our future, and our children’s (Gracie and Ryan), was full of fun and a bit of a challenge.  A challenge it certainly is, but in a good way! Since buying the property we have worked tirelessly to renovate the café, build a 9 bedroom hostel, landscape the outside areas and new for this year, our self-catering apartments. 

As the only hostel accommodation on the islands we offer affordable quality accommodation with a friendly communal aspect. The accommodation ranges from single rooms to a 6 bedded shared dorm (also let as a family ensuite) all with private shower/wcs.

We are lucky to be situated in the centre of St. Mary’s where we benefit from extensive outdoor space including landscaped gardens and a purpose-built children’s play area.  The onsite café enables both residents and visitors alike to relax and enjoy our homemade cakes, lunches, local seafood and good coffee.

As a family run business we have brought our existing expertise in building, fishing and hospitality with us. The hostel and café are headed up by Amy and Suzy, whilst Colin is afloat during the summer months aboard the ‘Sarafina’ fishing boat catching fresh shellfish for our crab sandwiches and Friday night lobster dinner deliveries.

During the winter months, wearing his other hat, building and landscaping the property is a priority. We don’t have time to stop! 

How big is the team and what would a ‘typical’ day look like?

Apart for the three of us, we employ a mix of locals and seasonal workers to help with the busy summer.  While most of us are still sleeping, Colin regularly heads out fishing from 5am to hunt for those sought-after shellfish. The property day starts when Suzy opens reception at 8.30am, ensuring the guests are happy, prepared for their day and we can  help with any queries or issues. Often it’s a chance to just chat.

Whilst reception then blends into managing the lodge changeovers, the kids head to school and Amy preps the café for the day, opening at 10am for the morning coffee lovers and late breakfast eaters. With cakes and scones to bake and soup to make, other staff will prepare front of house. From 12pm, business tends to increase with the lunch seekers keen to sample our sandwiches and toasties. Afternoons generally consist of more tea and cake service until 4.30pm. The café will close and clear up at this time ensuring everything is clean and ready for the following day. Reception then continues until 6.30pm to finish the day’s laundry and welcome back guests after a lovely day out.

Friday’s also involve the cooking up of lobsters and producing puddings, pâté and packing up food bags ready to deliver around the island to excited and hungry customers. We then enjoy a brief rest and a cool glass of wine before it begins all over again.

Are there any new developments you are going to launch and what does that mean for you?

We have spent the last two winters building new self-catering apartments above the hostel accommodation. This was something we had always hoped to progress to, and are proud to offer this new space this summer. Building on Scilly already presents interesting challenges with regarding to transporting materials and furnishing over 28 miles of water, made extra tricky by the logistics of navigating a build during ongoing lockdowns! 

We are very excited to welcome our firsts guests this springtime (restrictions depending) and have made every effort to continue the high quality furnishings of the hostel with an affordable price point. We have also added extra outdoor facilities such as a barbeque area and extended garden areas for guest use.

Following the shortened tourist season of 2020, this extra accommodation will support our endeavours to reaffirm Longstone Lodge and Café as a thriving business.  We can’t wait to open our doors again!

Describe to us your perfect day on Scilly?

A perfect day, is one of those stunning calm sunshiny Sundays, we gather all the family, pack a picnic, and jump aboard our own boat, setting a course for a sheltered off island bay.  We are so lucky on Scilly that we can usually find a deserted stretch of sand to relax, swim and rockpool with the children all day long.

These days are usually crowned by a famous Scillonian sunset, and the constant reminder that we wouldn’t’ want to be living anywhere else.

For more information

Contact the team at Longstone Lodge & Café for further information on 01720 422410. Or for somewhere to stay, click here, and to dine out at their café, or to order a takeaway, click here.