Seven “outstanding” new businesses are coming to Folkestone Harbour Arm, including its first-ever authentic Nepalese offering.

Traders say the London street food scene is very difficult to get into - and the seaside hotspot is a great alternative location.

And the Arm could be set for a dramatic transformation in the coming years, with plans submitted to build hundreds of homes on its car park.

But while those proposals have stalled, the attraction is welcoming some “fantastic” new traders this spring.

Knowing Meat, Knowing You is to open at Harbourside Square under the management of Clint Davies and Lizzie Batchelor.

The pair say they are focused on creating locally sourced dishes such as crispy fried chicken, burgers and mac and cheese.

Ms Batchelor said: "The street food scene in London is really hard to get into - there are lots of people trying in quite a small space.

"Then when we came here you could see the energy in what was going on at Folkestone harbour.

"But the vibe here is to support independent businesses. You get that from the harbour and you get that from the visitors."

Among the other new traders is The Mompling House, which will offer authentic Nepalese street food at Folkestone Harbour Arm for the first time since it opened in 2014.

Based at The Goods Yard behind Folkestone Harbour station, it will be run by brother and sister team Bikash and Srijana Gurung.

The pair will serve customers the likes of steamed and fried momo dumplings, chow mein, fried rice and aalu chop.

Bikash said: "We are really looking forward to being here.

"We have worked a lot internationally and eaten a lot of street food.

"Food is important to us and our skills and recipes have been taught us by our parents and grandparents.

"Our food here at the harbour will be as authentic Nepalese as possible and we can't wait to share it and our culture with you.”

Another trader coming to The Goods Yard will be premium street food hut, Cluck & Cow.

Offering food such as wings, Bavette steak and hand-crafted smash burgers, founder Ross Howard said: "When it's sunny it's just mad down here. You can be so busy that the day flies by.

"But I want people to enjoy the quality of what we produce too, so all our meat is sourced locally from family-run butchers.”

Other additions will be Vinnie’s The Sandwich Co., Promenade and pizza-based Slices by Barney, plus jacket potato business Baked and Loaded.

Former eatery The Dessert Folkes has also rebranded to become an ice cream and bubble tea business called Bubbles and Cones at Platform 4 of the Arm.

Paulo-Kingston Correia, general manager of the Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company (FHSDC), added: “We are thrilled to welcome these fantastic new traders to Folkestone harbour.

"Each business brings something fresh and exciting to our burgeoning food scene, offering locals and visitors even more reasons to visit.

"From bold street food flavours to indulgent sweet treats, the variety and sheer creativity of the line-up this year is truly outstanding.”

All seven businesses are expected to begin trading in the coming weeks.

The new additions have been announced amid uncertainty over what the future holds for the popular attraction.

In February, KentOnline revealed how bosses had warned access to the harbour arm could be cut off if hundreds of new homes are not built there.

Controversial plans from multimillionaire Sir Roger De Haan - chair of FHSDC - for tower blocks on the site’s car park were snubbed by councillors in January - despite being recommended for approval.

FHSDC swiftly submitted revised proposals and a cover letter for the application, written by estate agents Savills, says access to the harbour arm “as an amenity for the enjoyment of the public” is predicated on it getting the green light.

A decision on the fresh plans is yet to be made.

A spokesperson on behalf of Folkestone Harbour Seafront Development Company says: “The Harbour Arm, which was derelict following Folkestone’s ferry services ceased, has been restored and regenerated by Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Co. since 2015 as a public amenity.

“Usually, public amenities would be constructed after the development of residential property. In this case, the residential elements of the seafront development scheme only started in 2024 with the Shoreline development.

“The Harbour Arm and seafront development scheme are symbiotic and the economic impact of the new residential properties and new and current commercial units is integral to funding the significant ongoing upkeep costs of the Harbour in the future.

“The goal was always for the regeneration of Folkestone’s seafront to be self-financing and enable the long term upkeep of the harbour arm so that the whole scheme is self-sustaining.”