Former Old Portsmouth pub The Seagull to be transformed into property cafe concept
Coffee and house hunting will go hand in hand at this new cafe
An estate agents is staying ahead of the curve by creating a property cafe as the internet continues to shape the process of house hunting.
Fry & Kent has let the cat out of the bag after weeks of speculation and has confirmed its Broad Street site, in Old Portsmouth, is currently being transformed into The Seagull Property Café – believed to be one of the first of its kind.
The Grade II listed former public house will combine an independent-style café with a modern estate agency, creating somewhere local residents, visitors, buyers and sellers can enjoy a coffee, meet people and browse property in a relaxed environment.
The idea has been brought to life in response to the radical changes in how people buy and sell their homes as the internet continues to play a major role in the process.
Gary Bird, of Fry & Kent, said: “When we started selling homes nearly 60 years ago, visiting an estate agent was an essential part of finding a property. Today, people can find virtually everything from their phone.
“Rather than fighting that change, we wanted to rethink what an estate agency could be and create somewhere people actually want to visit – whether they’re looking for a home, thinking of selling, interested in the local property market or simply want a good cup of coffee.”
The new concept will retain a strong connection with property and Fry & Kent’s long association with Portsmouth, while operating as a café in its own right.
It will also give a new lease of life to The Seagull which was originally a public house and later a restaurant before becoming commercial premises.
Gary added: “The Seagull is a wonderful building with real character and history, and we wanted to do something equally distinctive with it. We hope we’ve created somewhere that is part café, part property hub and, most importantly, part of the Old Portsmouth community.”
The Seagull Property Cafe is due to open soon, with an official date yet to be confirmed.
For more information about Fry & Kent, which has been operating in the city for 60 years, click here.