insideKENT Magazine Issue 38 - May 2015 | Page 37

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

Shopping
at Folkestone Creative Quarter
This summer why not take the opportunity to explore Folkestone Creative Quarter, discover
a new favourite café, find the perfect gift, and meet the creative people who live and work
in this thriving artistic hub? With a great selection of creative businesses, working artists, cafés,
restaurants and unique curiosities, the Creative Quarter offers a warm welcome to all.
Artist, Kate Knight © Matt Rowe

Anecdotes Design,
handbag's maker, Steven Harkin

Blooms © Matt Rowe

© Matt Rowe

Rennie’s Seaside Modern © Matt Rowe

If you’re looking for a gift then why not drop into
The Great British Shop? With a great selection
of homewares, prints, jewellery and handmade
gifts – all produced in Kent – you’ll be spoilt for
choice. For something truly different, pop into
Rennie’s Seaside Modern, a shop stocking
vintage graphics, furniture, ceramics and textiles
by British artists of the 20th century.
Anecdotes Design is your destination for restyled
vintage furniture, modern design and a selection
of home furnishings. Vintage and Vinyl has
something to tantalise all of your senses, including
the best music on vinyl, beautiful jewellery,
exquisite English sparkling wines, Durham Gin,
model kits, and a great selection of vintage
accessories. Plectrums Pens and Paints is a
cosy music shop, which stocks a great selection
of instruments and provides tuition.
The Chocolate Pot is the perfect spot for anyone
with a sweet tooth, offering cakes, chocolates,
curios and collectables. Ideal for special occasions
or perhaps just a little treat for yourself! Another
great place to pick up local produce is Country
Fayre, providing a plethora of jams, chutneys,
beers and wines, strawberries, ice cream, cheese
and more.

Artist, Jack Frame © Matt Rowe

As if that isn't enough, the Quarter also has its
own Pagan mystical shop, The Cauldron of
Inspiration, plus Maisy-Jane’s Maternity
Boutique, stocking a variety of new and secondhand clothing for all occasions. In addition, Nik
& Trick Photographic Services provides dark
room printing facilities and a base from which
incredibly skilled artists including Kate Knight, Jo
Letchford and Shane Record produce and sell
their work.

For a family meal or night out with friends, the
Creative Quarter has something for every palette!
The Big Boys Burger Company can be found
on The Old High Street, serving the finest gourmet
burgers in Kent, made with local rare breed beef
and matured for 28 days. Just down the road is
El Cortador, a fantastic tapas restaurant offering
traditional recipes with many of its ingredients
sourced from Spain, and a menu that changes
with the availability of seasonal produce.

Food and Drink
at the Creative Quarter

Blooms can be found at the bottom of The Old
High Street and offers a mix of Mediterranean
food and seasonal specials. Set within a relaxed
and sophisticated environment, it makes the
perfect destination for lunch or dinner.

Not only does the Creative Quarter boast a
fantastic array of shops, artists and creative
businesses, but it is also bursting with places to
eat and drink!
The recently opened Congo Café is a welcoming
new coffee shop on The Old High Street offering
coffees, hot chocolates, exotic teas, macchiatos,
lattes and cappuccinos to stay or to go. Directly
opposite Quarterhouse, The Ampers and Design
Café serves flat bread pizzas, sandwiches and
sourdough breads, as well as speciality beers
and wines. Beano’s, located next to
Quarterhouse, offers a selection of delicious
vegetarian/vegan food served by a team of friendly
staff.

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Kipp’s alehouse is the perfect place to go for an
after-dinner drink or if you simply love real ale!
Serving a constantly changing range of cask ales
and ciders, as well as hosting local musicians,
Kipp’s has proven to be a staple of any night out
in the Creative Quarter.
For more information and a full list of shops,
businesses and artists, go to
www.creativequarterfolkestone.org.uk or
come on down and say hello during Open
Quarter, 19th-21st June 2015.