Celeb Fish Restaurant good for the harbour?
Speculation is growing about a celebrity chef opening a fish restaurant in the harbour. A Facebook user announced to his Facebook friends that Marco Pierre White was in Folkestone on Wednesday checking out premises at the harbour. He was also seen in the area later in the week.
Keith Holland from Googies Art Cafe (Rendezvous Street) started the conversation by saying “Marco Pierre White opening a fish restaurant in Folkestone Harbour….good or bad? Discuss”
Keiths announcement created a very interesting mixed and lively Facebook conversation with many points being put forward - including:
Sharon Manning said “This type of elite restaurant is good for the middle classes with the money but may alienate those on a lower income - we need to do more to involve these people, not alienate them more.”
Another female FaceBooker said “Good to hear this. Marco is a popular big name, it would be good for Folkestone to have a celeb chef restaurant here.”
Stewart Hollyhead said “change is inevitable if you want to regenerate an area, you can’t handpick what aspects of that change you want or don’t want. If you want a fast train to London and a theatre then you are probably going to get a MPW opening a restaurant in replacement of a rundown bar. Just speaking as someone who has lived through three regenerations. I live in the harbour area and its quite empty all the time and could welcome a boost of visitors by a new restaurant. This is a great thing to happen, and will bring more people to the harbour area - hopefully will bring more big names to the area too.”
Sharron responded again with “gentrification is not always a positive thing it has made Whitstable Camden on sea and made the sense of disadvantage and alienatation worse for those who were already struggling while the middle classes embraced expensive coffee, art and deli culture and their London bretherin paying silly price for property….Folkestone struggles already with this problem I would like to see us creating local employment and projects …”
Steve Thompson said “Bringing more affluent people into town benefits those at the lower end of the social ladder we need an influx of disposable income to help kick start the regen program. Having a signature restaurant in the harbour will attract mid market places to the area too. Keeping it as it is will only lead to a further downward spiral. This is a good thing.”
Jason Martin who joined the conversation said:
“Why do people always think we should have one or the other…..I agree with Stewart….let’s have both…..Folkestone’s diversity is part of its charm, and we need facilities and infrastructure that meets the needs of everyone. One thing we should all agree on is that Folkestone requires more disposable income being spent locally, and from the sound of things there are a lot of social entrepreneurs that should be setting up things where they can spend it. Call in for advice!!”
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