News Blast: Drapers Windmill has listed status upgraded and more

Drapers Windmill has its listed status upgraded, two new restaurants for Thanet, a micropub for sale, efforts to save a Folkestone library. All this and more creative and cultural news from Thanet and further afield.

Drapers Windmill in Margate has been awarded Grade II* listed status. The 19th century smock mill has been Grade II listed since 1973, but this new upgrade affords it further protection. The Draper’s Windmill Trust marked its 60th anniversary of maintaining the mill. The trust’s vice chair, Anny Squire says, “We are delighted to have our windmill and its ancillary buildings recognised as having both intrinsic importance and interest. This new listing gives the whole site the status it deserves for now and the future. We hope that it will encourage even more people to visit us and experience this valuable asset to Margate itself.”

Bib Gourmand accoladed chef Luke Crittenden (ex-Arya in Ramsgate) is set to open a minute restaurant on Oscar Road in the coming weeks. With room for just eight diners at any one time, Aster will plate up a plant-based five course menu, along with snacks, that will also be vegan. Expect a frequently changing menu that boasts wild, seasonal ingredients, and which is largely gluten-free. Follow on Instagram for updates.

Another new place to eat in Broadstairs, Felicity's and Flowers has opened up on The Broadway, with the grand opening on today! Head over between 12pm-4pm for free fizz and other nice things like nibbles, dried flowers, tote bags and a fully-stamped loyalty card ready for you to use the next time you drop in. The cafe will be stocked with homemade cakes, a bounty of flowers and nice things available to buy.

The Four Candles in St Peter’s has been put up for sale, as owner Mike Beaumont looks to spend more time with family. When it opened in 2012, it was one of the first micropubs in the country, and remains the UK’s smallest brewpub. It’s on the market for £60,000. Full details available by emailing mike@thefourcandles.co.uk.

New restaurant Willy’s will open at Margate House Hotel on Saturday, November 15. We can’t tell you much more than that, other than that it promises you’ll leave happy if you arrive hungry. The restaurant was first announced a year ago, so we are quite hungry now. Follow on Instagram for updates. 

Creative Folkestone and a group of community partners have submitted an expression of interest to Kent County Council to take over Folkestone Central Library and bring the building back into use. As well as a functioning library, the group plans to use it as an education and community space. The proposal comes ahead of the Folkestone Book Festival this month and a new three year project titled Folkestone is a Library, which is set to launch next year. 

We Are Here coffee opens The Hatch next week at its HQ in Fullers Yard, Margate next week. As well as coffee, the takeaway hatch will offer sweet treats from the Madre bakery and sandwiches from Sarns. It’ll be open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 2pm. 

Margate writer Beth Cookson has published her debut children’s book Margot the Mermaid from Margate. Aimed at four to nine year olds, Beth says the idea for the story came when she attended Margate Mermaid Parade. Following the initial success of the book, she hopes to turn it into a series.