It was only last year that Canterbury city centre was described as resembling a “second-class Las Vegas”.

Veteran councillor Nick Eden-Green bemoaned the garish shopfronts dotted along the historic high street, including the former Burton building that at the time hosted a pink pop-up clothes store and iCrash Mobile.

But in a sign of the city’s changing fortunes, the site has now been completely transformed into a new and upmarket Ivy restaurant already winning rave reviews.

Footfall is also up 4% on this time last year and, while 18 units have closed in 2024, 30 new businesses have opened. Just 7.5% of shops are empty - half the national average.

The Whitefriars shopping precinct is performing beyond expectations, too, with council documents reporting a surplus of almost £500,000.

It means Canterbury is in a strong position to bounce back from the disruption caused by the recent fire at the former Debenhams site. More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze at its peak and a section of the high street was cordoned off while the area was made safe.

But such is the success of the city centre in recent years, some traders fear the market could become oversaturated - with new chippy Fish Bros set to open at the former Kaspa’s site in the high street.

Pete Petri, who owns City Fish Bar in St Margaret’s Street, told KentOnline: “People do think that Canterbury is somewhere they can come into and they can make fortunes - but that's not the case anymore.

“When we opened 38 years ago, there were probably about 12 restaurants in the city and two or three sandwich bars – now they’re everywhere.

“It's a chunk out of your cake, isn't it? Everyone who opens up takes a little piece out of your cake.”

Another long-running business owner, Keith Martin, of Maria’s Ice Cream, is also concerned by the increased competition.

“I do watch businesses come and go - it's a challenging world here on the high street,” said Mr Martin.

“There's not enough people in the town to keep busy between all of us. In just the past two months I’ve seen three or four restaurants close.”

However, officers at the Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) say the proportion of eateries in the city centre has only increased from 26% of all units in 2017 to 28% today. More than a third of businesses (35%) within BID’s remit are classified as retail.

Big chains such as Lucy and Yak and Oliver Bonas have both taken over retail sites in the council-owned Whitefriars, yards away from The Ivy.

But more than two-thirds of businesses within the city walls are independently owned.

Council bosses also believe their multi-million pound Riverside leisure complex will soon come good, with letting agents working hard to fill empty units.

The authority has also been cracking down on those “garish” shopfronts considered not to fit in with the historic setting.

The council’s cabinet member for economic development, Cllr Chris Cornell, is buoyed by the “recent level of business interest and investment” in Canterbury.

He told KentOnline: "The fact that there is business churn in the city is nothing new and we welcome all those who have chosen Canterbury as the place to start a business or expand into.

"It represents the ever-changing nature of the high street, and new ventures mean people keep coming back to enjoy different experiences. That can only be a good thing.

"I am often in the city centre and always note how busy it is. There's a really vibrant atmosphere and we have the efforts of our businesses to thank for that.

"This month is a crucial trading period, but we see no reason why the city will not be rammed over the next few weeks. It's looking amazing with the lights and market and all the conditions are right for our businesses to have a great festive season.

"I would simply urge our residents to get themselves into the city, spend a bit of cash on those special presents and help make it a bumper Christmas for local businesses."

Lisa Carlson, CEO of BID, says commercial interest in the city centre remains strong and, while hospitality remains popular, they continue to welcome a diverse range of businesses.

“The city is building a strong reputation with investors from all sectors,” she said.
The fire at Debenhams has reignited fears that long-awaited plans to transform the site into 12 shops and 74 flats - known as the Guildhall Quarter - will fail to become a reality.

The Nasons building on the other side of the high street was set for a similar revamp but this year suffered a major blow as the company behind the £30 million redevelopment was put into receivership.

Those two huge empty sites remain a cause for concern - as are figures showing total sales are down 6.3% on this time last year.

But shoppers feel that overall these are good times for the city.

Sophie Cutting, a 21-year-old care home worker from Wincheap, said: “I do think there is a good balance because you've got everything you need really in Canterbury.

“I think we’re seeing more modern businesses move in.

“There are a good variety of independent shops along with some decent chains.

“I'm a bit of a foodie so I’d actually like a wider range of restaurants.

“As for changes, let’s cut down on the vape shops and open up more inclusive stores.”