Seven new businesses to open at Folkestone Harbour Arm and The Goods Yard in March
Published: 17:14, 27 February 2024
Updated: 09:53, 04 March 2024
Seven new businesses including a sushi bar and homeware store are set to open at a tourist hotspot.
From March, the new traders will take over units at Folkestone Harbour Arm and The Goods Yard, becoming the latest additions to the seaside attraction.
Whitstable-based RAD Burger is one of the businesses expanding into the site from Easter.
Ben Kelly and Alan Carter were part of the original RAD Burger team when the business started in 2012.
The food is described as having “unusual yet complementary flavours” and uses a “unique combination of ingredients”.
Also selling a menu of burgers, Gobsmack'd is set to open in The Goods Yard.
The business is known for its loud smash burgers, and steak on a bed of loaded fries.
Steve and Maria McClarty, the couple behind the business, first met while working in events at Google.
Mr McClarty has years of culinary experience having also worked in The Pearsons Arms in Whitstable, Thackeray’s Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, and was a finalist in The Chef’s Brigade on BBC 2.
Sooshi Sushi is also bringing its deep-fried sushi rolls to the seafront.
Chef Joanne Wilson is behind the business, which started during lockdown.
Born in the Philippines, she moved to Saudi Arabia, then Africa, before settling in Broadstairs.
When people were furloughed during the pandemic, Mrs Wilson and her husband Ben would do weekly date nights which was where the idea for the business was born.
Meanwhile, cheese lovers will soon be able to enjoy food with a Spanish flair from Queso Hombre.
Raclette, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Charcuterie will be on sale alongside a selection of wines.
Sweet toasties featuring Nutella and marshmallows are also on the menu.
After only opening in the summer of last year at Folkestone Harbour, Baoboba is opening a second site in The Goods Yard allowing them to grow the menu at their indoor space.
Jack Sherrin and Andrew Young opened Baoboba in August and will soon be opening Little Baoboba which will showcase bao buns, bubble tea as well as new vegan options, poke bowls, katsu curries and more.
The pair launched their first business venture after they “fell in love” with the seaside location.
Now, less than a year on, they have decided to launch a sister site which they say will complement their existing unit nearby.
Gaia Homeware, which first launched at the Harbour Arm in 2022, is also expanding.
Starting with just one stall, it became so popular in the marketplace it eventually spread across three huts.
Now, Alex and Laura, the mother and daughter duo behind the businesses, are taking the next step and opening a stand-alone, indoor retail space ‘Gaia Studio’.
As well as homemade fragrance, bath and body collections, they also sell hand-crafted bespoke furniture made from a variety of hardwoods which have fallen from trees naturally in storms.
They will also be running monthly workshops at the shop which will be their second base as they already have a store in Westerham.
This is the first time a retail business has taken over a unit at the Harbour Arm full-time.
Floc. a Canterbury-based brewery, has already opened.
It is occupying the main bar in The Goods Yard, located just next to The Harbour Screen, previously occupied by the Angels and Demons brewery.
Floc. was founded in 2020 and started as an at-home operation of brewing 150 cans per batch before branching out and selling beer worldwide from its brewery and taproom space in Canterbury.
It is currently open at weekends only, from 12pm to 4pm, until the end of March.
Paulo Kingston-Correia, general manager of Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company, said: "We're thrilled to welcome Sooshi Sushi, Gobsmack'd, Queso Hombre, Floc. Brewery, Little Baoboba and RAD Burger to Folkestone Harbour.
“These new establishments add to the vibrant tapestry of Folkestone Harbour, offering locals and visitors alike a diverse array of culinary experiences to enjoy.
“Each of these businesses brings something unique to our community in time for Easter.”
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Liane Castle