Finding our favourite local neighbourhood business’

Over two days our Operational team took the time to step beyond the homes in Margate and Westgate-on-Sea themselves and into the places that give this coastline its personality.

Margate, once known primarily as a traditional seaside town, has evolved into something far more dynamic. Today it blends its coastal heritage with a growing creative and food-led culture, where independent cafés, bakeries and shops sit at the centre of community life.

There’s a strong emphasis on quality, craft and individuality. From small-batch bakeries serving fresh, locally inspired goods, to independent coffee spots that have become everyday meeting places, the area has quietly become a destination for food lovers. These aren’t transactional spaces - they’re places where relationships are built, where staff know customers by name, and where new residents quickly feel part of something.

Beyond food and drink, the variety of independent retail and creative spaces adds another layer. Margate’s Old Town, in particular, has become a hub for galleries, vintage stores and maker-led businesses, reflecting the town’s growing reputation as a creative centre. For residents, this means weekend routines that feel more like exploration, wandering through local shops, discovering new artists, or picking up something unique that can’t be found elsewhere.

Westgate-on-Sea offers a quieter, more understated complement to Margate’s energy. Here, the high street is lined with long-standing independents, from family-run cafés and traditional bakeries to specialist food shops and everyday essentials that residents rely on.

What ties all of this together is the shared sense of community. Many of the businesses Helgi visited are independently run, often by people who have chosen Margate and Westgate-on-Sea for the same reasons as our residents: a better pace of life, a supportive environment, and the opportunity to build something meaningful.

For current and future residents, this means more than just having amenities nearby. It means living in a place where the high street feels personal, where recommendations come from neighbours rather than algorithms, and where supporting local isn’t a trend it’s part of everyday life.

These two days reinforced something we already believe - great homes are only part of the story. It’s the surrounding neighbourhood, the independent cafés, the makers, the familiar faces that truly shapes how a place feels to live in.