A family coffee company has won the bid to operate the visitor centre at Reculver country park.

HatHats Coffee was set up by Lisa and Louis Hurst not only to create the perfect cup but as an alternative to larger corporations.

Their business buys Fair Trade beans and its ethos is to give back to the local and international communities they operate in.

Following substantial investment, including changing the layout and refurbishing the décor, they are now open.

The company, which won two KEiBAs earlier this year, will offer superfast broadband, free to users of the coffee shop and to visitors in the adjacent picnic and play area.

Free electronic device charging facilities are also available in the visitor centre.

Later this autumn, Amelix Education, which is owned by the same family, will be providing facilities for schools groups at the centre.

The 78 space car park, which also features eight motorhome and two coach spaces, has now opened. Together with the existing car park, it brings the total number of spaces at Reculver to more than 140.

Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, chairman of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with HatHats Coffee.

"Not only are they a local company, but they have a strong track record in investing in the community and also sponsor children to go to school in the coffee growing world. We wish them lots of success in this new venture at Reculver.

"There are lots of great reasons to visit Reculver and with the new car park now open, it’s even easier to enjoy all there is to offer.”