Obsessions Salon
Thanet entrepreneurs Jennifer and Jamie Kerr have represented the UK on the global stage, speaking at the prestigious First Ladies Summit in Doha, Qatar.
Hosted under the patronage of Princess Ogunlana and attended by members of the royal family, the event brought together leaders from around the world to champion innovation, leadership, and empowerment.
Jennifer and Jamie, who own Obsessions Salon in Ramsgate, delivered a powerful address during the summit, sharing insights drawn from their work in business development, mindset coaching and social impact initiatives.
They were honoured with two international awards: Global Strategist Icon Award and Business Icon Award.
These accolades recognize outstanding work in business leadership, international strategy, and community-driven enterprise.
Jennifer said: “It was an incredible honour to speak at such a prestigious event and to be recognised among global leaders. We are passionate about putting Thanet on the map internationally and showing what’s possible when you combine ambition with purpose.”
Jamie added: “Winning two awards on behalf of our work and for our local community back home means the world to us. We’re excited to keep building bridges between Thanet and the world.”
Modern Provider
Ben Wykes of Modern Provider has announced that he will be closing his store at The Centre in Margate on June 7.
Ben has run a bakery business for eight years and moved operations from Charlotte Square to The Centre in 2019.
Ben initially started ModernProvider with commercial ovens set up in his sitting room! After nine months he was able to move to a proper kitchen in Charlotte Square and a year later to the unit in The Centre.
Posting to Facebook, Ben said: “ It’s with [very!] mixed emotions that I write this, but it’s time to announce that I am closing the bakery. This is a decision that I’ve been going over for the past 6 months or so…and then an opportunity came along that really cemented it in my mind.
“Sometimes I feel you just get to a point where you want to make some changes, face new challenges and prioritise different aspects of life. I’m 40 this year for Christs sake.
“Setting up the bakery to the point where it is today has been an incredible journey, a huge learning curve and at times extremely stressful. However I feel immense pride that I set up Modern Provider from nothing, baking with a domestic oven in my flat and walking deliveries around Margate.
“My main aim was to integrate with the food community here, and to create the best products I could at the fairest prices. I feel on the whole that I achieved that and have been proud to work with some fantastic local businesses as well as fantastic customers. I send so much thanks to each and every one of you because you’ve made the bakery what it is and pushed me to better myself again and again. I thank everyone who’s worked at the bakery too, those people have been the face of Modern Provider, rather than me, and those friendly faces are who greet you each time you come in to buy something.
“Margate has changed so much in recent years and I feel happy that the bakery has felt like a constant and consistent entity throughout that.
“Running a business is not something to enter into lightly and I genuinely take my hat off and have deep respect for any local business out there doing their own thing.
“With the bakery closing, it means the space will become available for another business to take on. Everything is up for discussion but there is an opportunity for the space to be left with most of the basic equipment to run a food business easily.
“The last day will be Saturday June 7th, and I hope to make it a celebration.”
Seabird
Seabird in Ramsgate will be hosting a Pagan Feast this June 6.
So Mote It Be is a special one-off supper club by Seabird and Joe Coghill, a Broadstairs based music and arts promoter, as he departs on a 200 mile fundraising trek to Glastonbury. The dinner is part of Joe’s campaign to raise funds for alcohol and drug charity With You and Endometriosis UK, in memory of his friend Jack, who died last year.
Joe describes the inspiration behind the supper; “As Westerners, we live in a world of abundant and processed food. As Pagans, when we eat this food, we support the disconnection between humans and the Earth, and we forget how our Ancestors lived. Food is not a commodity, food is not an escape. Food is how we connect. It is communion.”
Dinner is a four course Pagan Feast, with seasonal dishes inspired by the best local producers and the arrival of summer. Expect informal social dining, relaxed vibes, stand out ingredients and tasty drinks all night long.
The menu includes a Yellow Gazpacho, Chilli Oil, and Toasted Almonds, Smoked Duck Breast with Grilled Peaches, Bitter Leaves and Roasted Walnuts to start, Mead & Honey Pork Neck & Grilled Prawns with Smoked Corn, Courgette & Tomato Salad, Smoked Pepper Dressing and Gremolata for the main, and a Summer Berry Fool with Vanilla Mascarpone and Burnt White Chocolate for dessert. There’s a full vegan menu and all dietary requirements will be looked after.
Music on the night comes from electronic musician and DJ Lol Hammond, member of the renowned Spiral Tribe sound system, who rose to fame as part of the New Age and Pagan travelling party community and the infamous 1992 Castlemorten rave.
After dinner, Joe will be setting off on his 200 mile trip to Glastonbury.
Seabird is an all-day artisan coffee, craft cocktail and natural wine bar, serving sociable, seasonal snacks, small and main plates.
Tickets are £40 at: https://www.seabirdramsgate.com/store/p/pagan-feast
Seabird, 2-3 The Broadway, Addington Street, Ramsgate
Wandering Hut
A family owned Mediterranean restaurant has opened at Custom House in Ramsgate.
Wandering Hut offers everything from Tapas to steaks and burgers, past and calzones.
Many ingredients are sourced from Kent, including suppliers Taylor Meats and The Boathouse Fisheries.
The restaurant is open from noon to 10pm every day.
Call 01843 663174 or email [email protected]
Good Space Tap Ramsgate
Ramsgate seafront has a new taproom with Good Space Tap at 68A Harbour Parade.
The venue offers craft beers brewed in-house by No Frills Joe, a menu with burgers, creative vegetarian options, and crispy fried chicken and music.
Find it at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571335470047
Margate Beach Club
The former Sundowners premises in Margate’s Albert Terrace has been taken over by Northern Belle owners Neville Cavendish Neville and his partner Lee and rebranded as Margate Beach Club.
Neville and Lee, who are involved in project management and property management in Kent and London, took over the Northern Belle in 2023 and have now invested in their second Margate venue.
They will offer signature cocktails, and DJ sets.
Find Margate Beach Club on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/margatebeachclub/
Helping Hands Community Group
Sticking with the Northern Belle, landlord Jonathon Wood has open a Ramsgate town base for his charitable organisation Helping Hands.
Jonathon set up the group last year with the aim of helping struggling families and those who are homeless in Thanet.
It followed a successful meal and food supplies day.
Helping Hands has now taken over the former Blockbuster building in King Street. Items on offer includes clothing from just £1.
Find Helping Hands Community group on Facebook.
Lillyputt Minigolf
The minigolf site in Broadstairs is 30 years old today (May 24).
The Victoria Parade course has been delighting visitors of all ages since 1995.
The site has actually been home to a putting green since the 1800s.
Find it at: https://www.minigolfbroadstairs.com/
Dalby Café
The Dalby Café in Margate has recently celebrated 25 years under owner Mark Ezekiel.
The café is probably the oldest in Margate, first opening its doors in 1946, and it has a firm reputation for good food at decent prices.
Mark took on the business when he was just 19-years-old. He has made the Dalby Road café a destination of choice for everyone from hungry families to Cliftonville’s former resident musician Pete Doherty.
Find The Dalby Café online here
Perry’s Meats
With Manston’s Saturday market now closed Perrys Meats has a new base at the Windmill pub.
The trader will be at the Newington Road, Ramsgate, premises 7am to 3pm every Saturday.
