insideKENT Magazine Issue 18 - May/June 2013 | Page 95

BRIAN HITCHAM OF OXFORD STREET BOOKS DAWN HACKETT AT THE CHEESE BOX At the last count there were eight successful shops and galleries in Whitstable that progressed from Whitstable Harbour Village and many more in Canterbury, Faversham and Thanet. In additional to Nicola Diamond at her shop She Sells, there is The Loupe Gallery iS2 Bespoke , Jewellers, the Cheese Box, Walthaw’s Kentish Pantry, What’s Up Cupcake and Whitstable Lavender. Two of the town’s most established traders, Kites & Things and Tea & Times, also have a hut at the Harbour Village which helps their businesses prosper during the summer months. “It removes the risk and allows local retailers to put a toe in the water or refine their business idea,” explains Hitcham at Oxford Street books. On fine summer weekends it is estimated that more than 10,000 people visit Whitstable Harbour Village and take in the harbour views, have a coffee and meet friends. It’s the ideal location for local independent traders to sell their art, jewellery, gifts, toys, food, antiques and crafts and there will often be free community events like a traditional Punch & Judy show. One of the longest serving harbour village traders is Michael Richardson, an artist from Minster in Kent whose paintings are exhibited all over the UK, and have been previously selected by the Royal Academy. “With many galleries closing down the Harbour Village is absolutely essential for the livelihood of local artists,” he says, and explains that many people have become collectors of his work by meeting him in the harbour where he is often seen painting. Stephen Randall is a professional silversmith from Whitstable who makes jewellery and trophies for clients all over the world and his window to the world is Harbour Smith – his fisherman’s hut in Whitstable Harbour Village. “You get to meet all sorts in the harbour; from locals to international celebrities,” he says. Steven Melrose from Canterbury runs a new business called La Mer, selling stunning photographic seascapes and driftwood art. “It’s been ideal for me as a local photographer looking to find a market for my new business,” he says. The site has expanded gradually over recent years and the traditional timber fisherman’s huts are in strong demand as simple pop-up microshops. A new food quarter that opened last year means local businesses are now able to offer high quality hot and cold Kentish food and gourmet coffee which is proving very popular with visitors and locals. Of course, Whitstable had a reputation for high-quality shopping long before the Harbour Village was set up in 2007 by a local couple, but it has quickly become the driving force behind its continued growth. Canterbury City Council who own Whitstable Harbour deserve some credit for encouraging this community enterprise, which is now the home to more than 30 locally-owned independent businesses. It means there’s certainly no need for Mary Portas in Whitstable. Not for now anyway. www.insidekentmagazine.co.uk 95