Exciting operators’ show interest as plans progress for Whitstable Harbour’s former Crab and Winkle site

Ambitious plans to revitalise one of Kent’s most iconic harbours are already attracting interest from “exciting operators”, as Canterbury City Council moves forward with proposals for the former Crab and Winkle restaurant site in Whitstable.

The council has unveiled plans to transform the fire-damaged restaurant, which was badly affected by a major blaze in 2022, into up to four new business units. At the same time, a wet fish market is set to return to the South Quay, with hopes it could be up and running by the summer.

The former Crab and Winkle had been run by Elizabeth Bennett and her late husband, Peter, before the fire, which was caused by sparks from a grinder being used by a nearby workman. Mrs Bennett had hoped to reopen the business, with a fish market on the ground floor, but told KentOnline last year that ill health had left her with “no option but to surrender the lease”.

Whitstable Harbour Board chairman, Cllr Chris Cornell, said he does not expect any of the new units to open until early next year.

Speaking about the return of the wet fish market, he acknowledged that previous attempts to operate one in the town had faced challenges. However, he said its emphasis on locally landed produce would be central to making it a success.

“It is literally from the quayside,” he said last month. “You could throw a flounder and hit a fishing boat.

“They will be hauled in, and they will be sold in the harbour.”

Cllr Cornell said the market will feature a range of outdoor seating options to support businesses during the summer months and is expected to open at least three to four days a week.

“We have secured someone from the local fishing industry who is going to run it for us, which means, more importantly, the fish which is sold here will be fish which is caught here,” the Gorrell ward member added.

“You will see key groundworks happening from March onwards.”

The city council has now placed the 5,350 sq ft site on the market for lease, describing it in the marketing brochure as “a unique opportunity for an operator with the vision to create something remarkable”.

Potential uses include retail, leisure, lifestyle and experience-led businesses, although the council says it is open to a wide variety of proposals.

Cllr Cornell said: “This is an exciting moment as we take the first steps towards securing a new operator for one of the town’s most important spaces.

“We are looking for someone who can take this site to the next level and develop an outstanding new attraction for Whitstable and the harbour.

“Be bold, be ambitious and impress us with what you want to achieve, and this incredible opportunity could be yours.”

A city council spokesperson added: “We’ve had some good initial interest from some exciting operators, but it’s early days.

“We can’t give any details on who has approached us so far.”