New computer-generated images reveal how a Covent Garden-style food hall could be coming to one of Kent’s busiest tourist hotspots.

The proposals are part of the development of Folkestone’s harbour arm and would see its popular food and drink “plaza”, The Goods Yard, completely transformed.

It comes as several other CGIs have been released of the new tower blocks set to be built on the current car park at the site.

They form part of a wider masterplan for up to 1,000 new homes along the seafront, including the already-constructed luxury homes at Shoreline Crescent.

The designs for The Goods Yard have a striking resemblance to that of the famous Seven Dials market in the northwest corner of Covent Garden, which welcomes about 3.6 million visitors a year.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit Folkestone’s harbour arm during the summer months - but the coast’s wet and windy conditions can be a deterrent.

Now bosses at Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) are hoping the new designs will enable traders to serve customers all year round - and in all weathers.

A spokesperson said: “The Goods Yard has become a firm visitor favourite as an entertainment and street food plaza, with 10 independent street food and bar traders anchored by the Harbour Screen, which has a free summer cinema programme within a large capacity venue.

“However, there are still improvements that can be made and we currently have separate planning permission in place to add a covered structure to The Goods Yard and are working on the plans to make this happen so that we can give surety of trade all-year round to our customers and traders whatever the weather.”

But not everyone is in favour of the bold designs, with some saying the people visit the harbour purely for the “outside space”.

Georgina Baker, who started a petition to “block the blocks”, is also urging people to submit their objections before May 16, which is the earliest decision date for the plans set by Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

She explained: “The Goods Yard was heaving over the weekend but people visit during good weather to enjoy the open space, the outlook to the sea, to walk in the fresh air - not to be enclosed.

“We are not Covent Garden. The high-rise blocks that are planned would be suitable for a city development, not a coastal town.

“They would do better to keep the open space and design around the area that is currently successful with small traders.

“There could be a Wimbledon-style retractable roof over The Goods Yard’s open cinema for when there is poor weather. This way we keep what we have all year round.”

Her petition now has more 8,700 signatures and a host of residents have submitted their objections to the proposals within the planning documents.

While FHSDC would not comment on the concerns raised, bosses believe the redevelopment of The Goods Yard will be “amazing” for the town.

The spokesperson added: “The new design ensures all-year-round trade, whilst maintaining the feeling of indoor and outdoor space and also introducing sea views.

“This is an amazing development for the site that will benefit our traders, customers and the community of Folkestone and Kent as we continue to offer an entertainment and street food plaza anchored by the Harbour Screen with a free cinema programme, sports and events.

“It will allow us to take our current offering to the next level and that is something everyone on the Harbour Arm is supportive of.”

Last month, fresh computer-generated images, produced by FHSDC, showed how the building designs for the development had been revised.

Dismayed residents had compared the original look of the proposed tower blocks to something out of The Flintstones. But now the buildings appear white rather than brown.

There is also a reduction in the proposed height of the structures, while the new style is described as “simpler and more unified”.

Other changes include a new seafront park, an “increased public realm” with wider streets and lanes - and a new panoramic rooftop viewing platform.

FHSDC describes the new harbour arm proposals as having a “lighter colour palette” - and they do appear to more closely match other parts of the overall masterplan.

This includes Shoreline Crescent on the beach, where homes are on sale for prices ranging from £430,000 to £2.1million.

The complex made headlines last year after emitting banshee-like wailing sounds in high winds.

Private Eye also took aim at Shoreline Crescent, branding it the ‘Worst Building of 2023’.

FHSDC previously brushed off the unwanted accolade, saying “taste is a matter of opinion”.