It was a recommendation that brought us to the ‘Waterfront’ restaurant, at Totland Bay, on the IOW. Replacing the floor coverings was the conclusion of extensive refurbishment work overseen by Adie Bolton, who firstly managed the Mediterranean cuisine restaurant and sunset bar and then bought it in 2018.

With a history going back to the late 1800s, a location right on the seafront and a reputation that brings in hundreds of customers every summer, it was hardly surprising that the building eventually required some major TLC. Adie has done a splendid job in replacing external fascia, windows and doors, updating lighting and internal decoration. With our expertise, the 154 sq.m of flooring is now a mixture of carpet tiles (simply replaced if damaged) and LVT (tough, waterproof, and easily cleanable).

The overall work was not without its problems. In some areas, the subfloor was very poor and required considerable renovation. By taking sound advice Adie had the base floor finished in high-grade plywood which was then sealed with a PVA (polyvinyl acetate) coating. This gave us an excellent surface on which to lay both the carpet tiles and LVT. The only prep work needed was to feather finish the plywood to smooth out any indentations and fill joints between the boards (1). Once dry this was sanded where necessary.

For the two rear restaurant areas, a light ‘tackifier’ adhesive was then applied prior to the carpet tiles being laid (2). The choice of tile was from the JHS ‘Novara’ range – colour 70 wheat. In the entrance and bar area, a pressure-sensitive adhesive was applied (3 & 4) before the LVT planks were placed in position (5). The choice of material was from the Moduleo ‘Transform’ range – colour Blackjack Oak 22215.

The LVT planks were then laid along the open-plan restaurant overlooking the sea (7). A tough pressure-sensitive adhesive (6) was used which can put up with the heat levels sometimes experienced in the room due to its open aspect and sunny position. Throughout the building the carpet tiles and LVT were cut and laid to take into consideration the awkwardness of the old building, supporting posts (8) and various nooks and crannies.

The flooring took a day and two half days to complete including an overnight stay. Adie and his team’s hospitality were exceptional, and the food was superb. We could not have been better looked after. The completed work has come together very well. When we went back and took final photographs (9 & 10) the last changes were being made prior to reopening inside after the pandemic.

The ‘Waterfront’ restaurant is well worth a visit. Call in for just a coffee or something more substantial. There are plenty of parking spaces. The location gives remarkable views across Totland Bay and beyond. Its west-facing aspect is renowned for its remarkable sunsets. There are some great photos, general information, and menus to be found on their website.