The owner of cafe that opened just weeks ago in Folkestone fears it might have to shut already due to a lack of customers.

It comes as traders in the town, recently named the best place to live in the south east, say while the much-hyped harbour area is bustling, parts of the town centre are struggling.

A number of shops in the traditional high street have closed this year and some business owners feel “forgotten” about and “segregated” from the thriving seafront.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has been hosting events to boost town centre footfall - such as a food festival this summer, with more markets planned.

But Sonia Pace, who opened the Trinity Wellness Hub in Guildhall Street in August, says it’s so quiet that she is considering shutting down.

“I know it takes time to build a business but it has been an incredibly difficult start for us,” the 47-year-old said.

“Apart from the pop-up events and markets in the town centre, everything seems to be focused on the harbour arm.

“It does feel as if people are being pushed away from Guildhall Street.

“We sell local products and support local businesses and I wish people would do the same with us.

“I think we all need to work together in the town to make our businesses successful.

“We need more togetherness.”

The cafe offers healthy alternatives for breakfast and lunch, including organic teas, vegan bowls and collagen drinks.

However, Ms Pace says the venue, which she runs with her partner Adam Leonard, 43, has welcomed “very few” customers.

She added: “It's only been three weeks and I have already thought about handing in my notice to leave the premises.

“I am also a personal trainer and I have to consider whether the cafe is worth keeping open.”

Among the businesses to have closed in the town centre this year is The Wishing Well, a gift shop specialising in cards and stationery, which shut after 40 years in July.

Three months earlier, the Eleto Chocolate Cafe in Rendezvous Street also closed.

But just a few minutes walk away at Folkestone’s hugely popular harbour arm, businesses are seeing a very different story - largely thanks to the regeneration of the area led by multi-millionaire Sir Roger De Haan.

The philanthropist made his fortune when he sold the Saga group, founded by his father Sidney, and soon after purchased the harbour, which was lying derelict and decaying following the closure of the ferry port.

It has now become a thriving destination filled with bars, restaurants and other attractionsg, drawing millions of visitors every year.

This has seen the town’s star rise, being named by The Sunday Times in March as the best place to live in the south east.

Sir Roger previously told this paper: “It gives me a lot of satisfaction to see the old town of Folkestone so lively and such a bustling, successful place now.”

One man who is reaping the benefits of the transformation is Andy Burnett, the owner of Sandy’s Fish & Chips.

The lifelong resident of the town says his business is growing year on year.

“The shop is doing amazingly. The amount of people that are now coming down here for day trips is unbelievable,” said the 47-year-old.

“We are very lucky to be supported by both the locals in the area and the vast amount of tourists who visit the harbour. As a business owner here it's the perfect storm.

“When we open the door, from normally about 12 o'clock to when we close, we have queues of 30 to 40 people. You physically can't take any more money.

“It's got to the point where we have shrunk our menu and increased our staff just to keep up with the demand.”

Mr Burnett, who used to run the Mr Baguette sandwich bar in the town centre, says trading at the harbour has huge advantages over the high street.

“I speak to the fishermen who have been here for more than 50 years and they say the harbour has never been this busy,” he said.

“I would now never dream of opening a shop in any town centre. There are so many barriers which impact trade. Many of them can only open from 10am-6pm.

“But if you look at the Old High Street, that's had the development there now, it has never looked as good.

“Parking in the town centre is also a nightmare and that doesn't help the businesses either.”

Folkestone’s town centre is also blighted by large empty buildings.

The revamp of the former Debenhams store - rebranded the Folca building - suffered a major setback in June after it was revealed original plans for a huge new medical centre were “no longer viable”.

In July, Kent County Council (KCC) revealed plans for the Sandgate Road site to potentially become the new home of Folkestone Library after the building in Grace Hill was “temporarily closed” in 2022 due to safety concerns.

Elsewhere, the former Store Twenty One building in Bouverie Place has fallen into disrepair despite its prominent town centre location.

Meanwhile, pink weather-resistant boarding at Queens House, above the Bonmarche clothing store on the corner of Guildhall Street, highlights how it has been left empty.

Adrian Woods, who has owned the Sorting Gifts shop in Guildhall Street for the past eight years, says some days only one person walks into the store.

“We take our products all over the country and sell them at shows like Comic Cons on the weekends. This is the only way to keep our business alive,” said the 51-year-old.

“I have completely lost interest in the town. I feel as if Folkestone has become segregated.

“People only care about the harbour and the town centre has been left behind.

“Businesses are trying really hard to make a living for themselves but we just don't get any support. We’ve been forgotten about. As the harbour always gets so much attention there should be signs directing people to this part of the town.

“We have some great businesses down here but they all need help.”

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) says its project, Folkestone – A Brighter Future, is set to physically transform the town centre after receiving £20m of government funding.

A spokesperson said: “Our efforts don’t just stop there: work is already underway to bring vibrancy to the pedestrianised shopping areas of Sandgate Road and Guildhall Street through our Folke About Town programme.

“Trial events over the coming months are being held to test out what works best – our priority is to support local businesses by encouraging people to stay longer in the area and boosting footfall.

“We’re already engaging with town centre traders, some of which are providing us with information to understand if the programme has had a positive impact on takings.”

FHDC admitted that high streets up and down the country are facing challenges but is“confident through change, the future of ours will be vibrant and prosperous”.

“Folkestone Fringe, leading the Folke About Town programme, was pivotal in the early success of the Folkestone Harbour Arm. The foundations for the success currently seen took approximately seven years to lay,” the spokesperson added.

“Our Folkestone Works website highlights support, grants and funding schemes currently available to businesses across the town and the wider district.”