Kent coast becoming creative hub

A local tourism official has claimed the Kent coast is increasingly earning a name for itself as a creative hub, reports Hawkinge Gazette & Channel Coast News.

Catriona Campbell, who has just organised a two-day launch event for Kent's Coastal Week, claimed that people see the seaside as a centre for artistic expression, which may spur more firms in the creative sector to set up offices in Kent, along the coast.

She said: "The feedback from visitors shows that there is a huge desire to enjoy creative activities in Kent's coastal towns and why this part of the world is increasingly referred to as Kent's Creative Coast."

Ms Campbell worked alongside Visit Kent to set up Creative Coast at Whitstable over the weekend, which saw a variety of artistic disciplines take centre stage and 7,000 people get involved in the event. Kent's Coastal Week continues until Sunday, 30 October.

Speaking to Kent Online about the occasion, Chris Drake, coastal officer at Kent County Council, pointed out that the Kent's coastline has provided inspiration for a number of famous creative minds in the past, including artist JMW Turner and author Charles Dickens.

He stated that the objective of the project is not just about highlighting the most famous stretches of coast, but also about trying to "shine a light" on the region's estuaries.