| Shops in Whitstable, Kent have changed over the | | | | The most famous street for this boutique style shop |
| years as the nature of the town has evolved, as | | | | is Harbour Street, which forms part of the one way |
| Whitstable's popularity has grown with those seeking | | | | system towards the harbour end of the High Street. |
| a break in this picturesque English seaside location. | | | | It's very pretty, and the delicate little shops sell |
| More and more, shops are springing up designed to | | | | nick-knacks, nautically themed wares, art, and |
| cater for the many tourists the town attracts, and | | | | independently-labelled clothes, and high end flower |
| their look and feel is quite different to the | | | | arranging. They're all very pretty, and there's a very |
| establishments that have served the town in the | | | | feminine touch apparent in the shops fronts. The |
| past. The design of the newer shops is instantly | | | | influence of Harbour Street has started to spread up |
| noticeable, and a general 'boutique' feel seems to be | | | | the high street, and now the whole town seems to |
| the way the new breed of proprietors are attracting | | | | be shifting towards a greater awareness of |
| the tourist pound. Some of them really are very | | | | aesthetics as a very definite 'feel' seems to be |
| beautifully laid out, with attention to detail, and 'design | | | | incorporated into all manner of new businesses. |
| concepts' galore. | | | | Many of the old brick buildings are being restored and |
| Whitstable's only a very small town, so visitors don't | | | | once again used for commerce, and the result is a |
| have to plan their stay in the same way as you | | | | very interesting, and charming selection of individual |
| might to a larger location. There's no 'East Whitstable' | | | | shops, which visitors often pause to point at or take |
| or 'Latin Quarter' here, so the way most people | | | | photos of. The rate at which shops change hands is |
| explore the town is simply to wander around, taking | | | | still a little alarming, but some are staying and finding |
| in the sights and amenities as they happen to chance | | | | their niche amongst this increasingly thriving market |
| upon them. It's because of this that Whitstable's new | | | | place, and the whole feel of Whitstable's retail |
| boutique-style establishments have sprung up, eager | | | | landscape is settling into a new groove, where name |
| to lure customers with their pretty shop fronts and | | | | recognition and word of mouth are attracting still |
| well-managed lighting, and it seems to be working, as | | | | more visitors to sample the charms of one of Kent's |
| more and more appear all the time. | | | | most prized little towns. |