Gosport’s High Street is buzzing with life thanks to a wave of creative, independent businesses that are breathing new energy into the town centre. At the heart of this movement is Katie’s Vinyl Bar and Kitchen, which is a unique, family-run café bar that has become a local favourite, blending great food, music, and a whole lot of community spirit.
Step inside and you’ll find walls lined with shelves of vinyl records, high stools and cosy tables, and a record player that spins everything from Bowie to The Beatles. Customers can even choose what plays next, creating a nostalgic record-shop vibe that feels both retro and fresh. Add to that the welcoming atmosphere and regular live music nights, and you’ve got a venue that’s helped transform the High Street into a destination.
A family vision brought to life
Katie’s is truly a family affair, led by Katie – the head chef with a surprising twist: when she’s not in the kitchen, she’s in the boxing ring as a professional fighter. Her brother Liam runs the business alongside his partner, Mia, who together manage everything from front of house, to live music bookings, while Katie and Liam’s parents, Marie and Steve, also help to run the business while also lending a hand in the kitchen. Together, along with a team of 10 part-time staff, they’ve created something truly special for Gosport.
The idea first sparked back in 2014, when the family converted a spare room in their home into a music room that was plastered with band posters and stacked with records. “We spent most weekends in there hanging out with friends and family, and then one day we thought – this would make a great bar!” laughs Liam.
That spark led to the family taking the plunge and leasing their first shop in the precinct. “The business model was a bit different back then, but being tucked away meant there was very little passing trade. It was tough,” recalls Liam. But the dream wasn’t over. Three years later, in 2017, a High Street location became available, and the family seized the opportunity, refined their vision, and they haven’t looked back since.
Food, music, and community
The menu is as creative as the concept. “Breakfast is the bread and butter of our business,” says Liam. “We offer classics with quirky twists and name our dishes after famous musicians. Fancy a lighter option, for example, then order the Gary Barlow. Hungry for a Scottish fry-up? Go for The Proclaimers!” he laughs. Alongside breakfast favourites, the bar also serves a wide variety of craft and traditional beers. “Many you won’t find anywhere else in Gosport,” Liam points out.
But Katie’s is more than just food and drink – it’s a hub for local talent. With live music every Saturday night, monthly open mic sessions, student nights, and quizzes, there’s always something happening. “We’re proud to showcase emerging artists and give musicians in Gosport and surrounding areas a platform.”
Building Gosport’s future
From speaking with Liam, I see that he is clearly passionate about Gosport and its potential. “It would have been easier to open in Portsmouth, of course, but Gosport needed this more. Independent businesses bring the High Street alive. If more people take a chance on their ideas, we can create something amazing right here,” he says passionately.
“Over the last few years, Gosport’s High Street has really come alive with the arrival of independent businesses – and that’s exactly what we need. I honestly believe now is Gosport’s time. When you look at how much the town has changed already, it’s exciting to think where it could be in another five years. With the Borough investing in improvements, the future feels full of opportunity.”
For Liam, the key is encouraging more local people to take the leap with their ideas and dreams. “If that means more cafés, then great! I don’t see that as competition. The more businesses we have, the more reasons people will stay here rather than going to Portsmouth for food or entertainment. A busy High Street creates atmosphere, and when we work together, it benefits everyone.”
Liam is proud of the role Katie’s has played in Gosport’s revival. “I do think we were one of the first to start changing the face of the town. And if we could do it with no financial backing and just a strong vision, then anyone can. My whole family now earns a living from an idea that started in our spare bedroom – it’s incredible, really.”
That belief has carried Katie’s through its most formidable challenges, including surviving the pandemic when many independents closed. “We were two years into our new premises when the pandemic hit. Sadly, many independent businesses never came out the other side. We are so grateful that we did.”
A local success story
Today, the café bar is thriving, not just as a business but as a true community hub. “Our customers are the life and soul of what we do. Without them, there is no Katie’s,” Liam says, before explaining about the opportunities they offer the young people of Gosport.
“I’m really proud of the opportunities we give young local people,” he explains. “For many, Katie’s has been their very first job since the age of 16. Quite a few stay with us right up until they head off to university or move away, and that feels really special. It’s more than just work experience – it’s about being part of the community, and that’s at the heart of what we do.”
From humble beginnings in a spare bedroom to becoming a cornerstone of Gosport’s High Street, Katie’s Vinyl Bar and Kitchen is proof of what can happen when creativity, determination, and community come together.
Our conversation draws to a close as Liam’s two-week-old baby girl makes her presence known – a fitting reminder of the next generation that this family business is helping to shape. It was a warm and humbling interview with a born-and-bred Gosport resident who not only loves his hometown, but is determined to see it flourish. Creative, determined, and community-driven, Liam and his family took a simple idea and turned it into something extraordinary. An inspiring family, and a true heartbeat of Gosport’s High Street.
You can follow Katie’s Vinyl Bar and Kitchen here