Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Mark O’Brien is set to open new restaurant Flint Chophouse at The Centre in Margate. The “destination chophouse restaurant” will take over what was formerly the Messiah Riff Audio recording studio. In a planning application, Mark says the venue will be a “a high end fit out” that will “encourage a new audience to this part of The Centre.” Mark was previously head chef at Willy’s in Cliftonville before stepping down in June. He will revive his Snake Oil BBQ pop-up at Staples in Ramsgate this Friday.
Zita Whalley
Little Wave deli in Broadstairs has made it to the final three in the Independent Retailer category at this year’s Taste of Kent Awards. “An absolutely mind blowing result for us, as a tiny shop in a beautiful seaside town, still in its first year,” say the shop’s owners. “We work so hard to support local suppliers and we're extremely lucky to have such brilliant products to fill our shelves.” The overall winner will be announced in October.
Broadstairs restaurant 27 Harbour Street has announced its closure. “After a great deal of thought we have made the difficult decision to close our doors,” says owners Jan and Katherine Wyatt in a statement. “As some of you will know, this past year has been a particularly difficult one for us personally and as a family.” Formerly known as Wyatt & Jones, the popular restaurant was renamed in 2023 and has operated for nearly 15 years.
Another closure in Broadstairs, Twist’s pizzeria will shut its doors permanently this weekend. Opened last year, the restaurant’s owner Neal Parton said in a statement last month that “increased costs driven by government policy” and “the continued negative publicity surrounding anti-social behaviour in and around Broadstairs” were to blame for the decision.
Felicity’s cafe in Quex Park is set to close at the end of October due to issues with the building’s planning permission. Owners Laura Newbery and Molly Stephens say that when they took on the cafe in 2020, they were not made aware that its temporary planning permission had expired in 2018. Only discovering this in 2023, they have been trying to secure the venue’s long term future since. “While we are devastated, we are also incredibly proud,” they say in a statement. Their other cafe, Flowers & Felicity’s in Broadstairs, is unaffected.
New Broadstairs brunch and dinner destination No 23 has opened its doors. It offers a menu of all day breakfast items and amazing looking burgers. Find it at 23 Albion Street.
The Foxling’s Den play den for children up to three and a half years old opens at its new location in Paragon Works in Ramsgate today. Book a session.
Ramsgate Community Gallery has put out a call for artists to submit to its upcoming first exhibition A Postcard From Ramsgate at Plunder Books. Submissions must be A5 size and made available for sale. £5 entry fee per work. Email communitygalleryramsgate@gmail.com for full details. Entry deadline September 21.
While your mind’s on Ramsgate, the Thanet Trust is asking people to create a repeating pattern that makes them think of the town. Put it on fabric, wallpaper, mugs, anything you like. The best will be included in the upcoming Ramsgate New History Exhibition in November. Email admin@tcdt.org.uk for more information and to submit.
Image credit: BBC/Shine TV
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