The Scoop – business news and

Keen for a slice of the pizza pie are newcomers Castellum who opened on Oxford Street in March. The family-run business aims to bring the authentic taste of Italy directly to your doorstep. Castellum will be running their collection only service until the doors can open again under the new restrictions. As Carmine Cioffi of Castellum explained, “The team has been absolutely humbled by the heartwarming response and welcome from the Whitstable community and we cannot wait to welcome you all for the full-dining experience soon.”

Innovative wind turbines created by local Whitstable firm, Alpha 311 are to be installed on the O2 to create clean energy. The Greenwich building is the first in the world to trial the new turbine system which, using a vertical axis, can turn even when there is no wind due to its size, weight and unique shaftless design. Speaking of the O2’s decision to sign up to the scheme, Alpha 311 CEO Mike Shaw told us: “With a vision to make energy poverty a thing of the past, Alpha 311 is powering up a future where roads, bridges and buildings can all be used to generate cheap, clean energy. Find out more about the movement at

Craft pizzeria Nomad Pizza has won the Best Independent Pizza Delivery Award at the PAPA Industry Awards, just four months after opening back in August 2020. The husband-and-wiferun business moved coast to coast during the pandemic, after setting up the Cornish Pizza Company, to lay new roots on the Kent coast where Vicki Crwys-Williams grew up in nearby Canterbury. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield tweeted of the news, “Congratulations and well deserved.” Jon Crwys-Williams added, “I’m looking forward to the pubs and restaurants opening again in April so we and our staff can have a proper celebration.”

Local resident Magdalene Tyler-Whittle has set up a community clothes bank, covering Whitstable, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Faversham. With charity shops being shut during lockdown, a lot of unwanted clothes are ending up in a landfill, which is where Tyler-Whittle comes in, helping share the secondhand threads with those in need across the community. In six short weeks since launching, the team have received over 1.4 tonnes of clothes and shoes donated (diverted from landfill) and helped over 172 people with free clothing bundles who were all in need of clothes due to their circumstances. If anyone needs help with accessing clothing or if you’d like to donate any clean, good quality items to the bank, get in touch with the community clothes bank directly at magdaletylerwhittle@yahoo.co.uk (all ages/sizes and genders, accepted) or visit their Facebook page for more details.

Two Harbour Street heroes have sadly passed away, as we say goodbye to Geoff Laurens and Jean Bradshaw. Laurens was the owner of Geoff Laurens Antiques which has existed on Harbour Street in various locations since 1975. His repertoire of rude jokes in particular will be sorely missed! Bradshaw was the woman behind Whitstable Knitwear in what is now the Marine Boutique. She died peacefully on 4 March 2021 aged 89 after a long illness. Both Laurens and Bradshaw were friends as well as neighbours.

Having opened its doors back in February 2020, Vita Stores turns one this spring with its mission to reduce, reuse and refill. The zero-waste kitchen shop offers ethical cleaning products and storecupboard essentials, providing an opportunity for locals to make invaluable changes to their everyday shopping. The store aims to address the issue of food being transported around the globe, seeking out positive collaborations with farmers and producers in the UK. Check out their plastic-free wares on their website or pop in and say hello at 64 Harbour Street.

Can you believe that we’ve been tucking into Grain & Hearth’s legendary toasties for two years now? The independent sourdough bakery has become a staple here in the Bubble for innovative bakes and moreish sweet treats (see cruffins galore and that custard tart). But they’ve also been busy sewing their granary seeds further afield as they’re now available across the East Kent coast, popping up at Macknade in Faversham, KG Winter Stores, The Table in Broadstairs’ feel-good sandwiches, and countertop croissants at Forts in Margate. Use your loaf and get involved at 50-52 Oxford Street.

One-woman force and Yorkshire pudding pro, Michelle Booth celebrates five years at her Cafe + Kitchen residence on Harbour Street. Traditionally a daytime café serving brunch and lunch, Cafe + Kitchen has been keeping us well-fed during the winter months with slap-up roast dinners and lashings of gravy alongside Booth’s latest creation, the Little Katsu Kitchen. With a new website in the works and planned pop-ups on the horizon, you can read more on Cafe + Kitchen from page 17 as Annica Wainwright highlights some of the Bubblebased businesses taking takeaways to the next level.

If we’re ever in need of a last-minute gift idea for children (and lucky parents alike), we know exactly where to head on Harbour Street. And, thankfully for us, children’s boutique Buttercup has been sourcing sustainably made toys, gifts, and books for babies and children for over nine years now. Owner Mary Jane Higginson is also doing her bit to support fellow UK businesses stocking a swathe of British brands like ethical, multi-award-winning baby and toddler shoemakers, Amy & Ivor, and small-batch knitwear designers Button and Blue’s teething mittens. Treat your little person to a little something at buttercupwhitstable.co.uk. Worldwide shipping is available.