It'll be brisk! Family-run seaside kiosk that's served British tourists since 1957 on secret south coast beach set to open during winter for first time in 70 years

A tiny beach-side cafe that's sat on the same spot of West Sussex coastline since the Fifties and started life selling scoops of vanilla ice-cream and sausages to British tourists is still going strong after 70 years in business – with the same family at the helm. 

Imogen Steel's enterprising grandfather first bought Salt Cafe in 1957 alongside some caravan sites and a pub in East Preston, a pretty – but still relatively unknown – stretch of the West Sussex coast. 

The right-by-the-sea kiosk has had many different lives but has managed to stay within the Steel family throughout, although Imogen tells the Daily Mail there's been plenty of changes over the past seven decades. 

Various different family members have taken on the café through the years – and it's been leased out to others – but now Imogen and her mother Rachael have brought it firmly back into the fold, and are set to stay open all winter for the first time in the business's history. 

Sticking to the cafe's original ethos of delicious food and great service has been key to the 'little kiosk' weathering changing times, says the latest family member in the kitchen. 

'This is the first year that we've really added more to it,' explains Imogen. 'There's a pergola structure with a shelter and we've added more tables and put tables on the beach as well.'

The way it was: Salt Cafe was bought by the Steel family in 1957 - back then it was a small shack which sold ice creams

70 years on: The seaside cafe has stayed in the family ever since and mother-and-daughter team Rachael and Imogen, pictured, took it on in January - and will open in winter for the first time

Nostalgia-filled old photos show how the café began its life – as a simple, white wooden hut with no decorations or visible seating.

Fast-forward to 2026 and more recent shots reveal how Imogen and Rachael have breathed new life into the venue – with chic signage and benches with parasols.

The hard work has paid off too, with the mother-and-daughter saying they've had an influx of customers – both old and new.

Salt Cafe's foodie offerings have expanded from the kiosk's first years; there's a full menu of breakfast and lunch options, including homemade soup and 'beach bites' like cheesy chips and scotch eggs. 

It's a far cry from the venue's days of just selling ice cream, and according to Rachael the original planning papers mention the Fifties kiosk may have also cooked up sausages too.

The pair say Salt Cafe's current menu is 'the best' it has ever had. 'It's all fresh ingredients, it's all good suppliers, we're quite proud of it,' Rachael says.

'On the summer menu that we've just finished because we've moved over to our winter one, we did fish and chips which was really popular, we did burgers and they were really popular,' Imogen shares. 'And we always do toasties as well'. 

The seaside spot has changed over the years, pictured above in 2015 when Rachael named it 'Salt'

The café now has a pergola and outdoor seating, but still holds onto its original roots

And they're ready to lean into the winter weather and try and make the business a year-round proposition.

'We've got the covered area now, which my husband built, and we've got fairy lights,' says Rachael.

'We tried to make it a really nice, welcoming place that you would want to sit on a horrible day with your dog to have something to eat, or a coffee even.'

The establishment has received plenty of encouragement from locals over the years and Rachael shares it has 'always been well supported'.

'But I think this year, because of how it looks and the food that Imogen's created on the menu, and the chef that we've got who is really good, it has been busy,' she adds.

'I think the locals are really chuffed with it all.'

There are plenty of loyal customers who keep returning, including some who remember visiting 20 years ago.

The café's staff members have stuck by it for years too; some have been around since working there on Saturdays whilst at school. 

Given Salt Café's envious location by the sea and decades of experience, the Steels have seen tourism in the area shifting first-hand.

And for the first time ever, will be open over the winter season sporting a full menu 

Though East Preston has 'always been such a hidden away sort of place' its close proximity to London has been drawing more visitors in recently, the pair note. 

Imogen explains: 'There are a lot more holiday rentals or places for people to stay, and a lot of houses have become that along the beach now.'

Over the summer, they noticed customers would return multiple times over the same weekend suggesting they were staying nearby on holiday. 

East Preston's appeal has become so strong that some people are even moving there after enjoying a break by the sea. 

'We found that people stumble along it on holiday, and then all of a sudden they're selling their house. 

'They're living here because it is a cute place to live. So it's lovely. You never want to leave when you when you come here, really,' says Rachael.

As for whether the Steel family will ever sell Salt Cafe? Rachael says, 'Definitely not.' and admits they have been asked a few times.