PROTESTERS demonstrated outside a Brightlingsea cafe, calling for it to be reopened.

Up the Creek, part of Brightlingsea Watersports and Yacht Club, was closed by club directors after its first day of trading on April 7.

They claimed there had been public complaints about alcohol being consumed on the site in breach of the contract terms between the caterers and the club.

About 40 campaigners waving placards picketed a committee meeting demanding the cafe be reopened and the caterers be given time to work through any teething problems.

Lisa Jennings, one of the caterers, said: “I was shocked by the attitude of the directors.

“We begged them to help us put things right, but they just seemed intent on tripping us up and sabotaging all our hard work. The opening day was meant to be a test period, enabling us to assess and address any issues arising before we started our regular menu and opening hours.”

Lisa’s father Jack Jennings, also a committee member, said: “It is unbelievable the cafe was shut after just one day.

“None of the committee members was asked for feedback and there was no investigation of the complaints or help offered to the caterers.

“They seemed intent on destroying the cafe and undoubtedly this has damaged the reputation of the club, too.”

The club is based at the Essex University Sailing Club, on Waterside, and was formed by a joint charitable trust between the club and the university. Club member Madeleine Geikie said: “So many people were looking forward to having a new club they could go to that would be inclusive and offer a variety of facilities to suit all water users.

“I am very sad about what has happened, and only hope the university can intervene and bring the club and cafe back to the people, where it belongs.”

Brightlingsea Watersports and Yacht Club is a not-for-profit organisation that offers members of the public and Essex University students and staff access to sailing and watersports facilities at a reasonable cost through a membership scheme.

A joint statement from the executive directors said: “We remain committed to providing food and drink facilities and we hope to reopen our catering facilities soon after appointing new caterers.

“The executive directors took the collective decision to terminate the previous catering franchise agreement, as they felt there had been material breaches of the agreement.

“We have met the former caterers to explain our decision, and they have been offered reimbursement for the work they have done to redecorate the clubhouse to date.

“We are happy to meet with them to discuss the situation more fully, should they wish to do so.”