Shesells SeaShells – Fine dining on the harbour arm

SheSells SeaShells is a second to none dining experience on Folkestone’s Harbour Arm.  This is the place to go to feel special, even if it’s for a weekday treat, or weekend meal.  Alison and her family team have the largest carriage, and a smaller one for intimate dining, at Platform 3, at the start of the Harbour Arm.  Dine in, in cosy luxury, or dine out on the tables on the Arm for a truly delicious meal.  Folkelife went to meet Alison.

Harbour Arm professionals

“We’ve been trading here on the Harbour Arm since 2015 with our other business Go Dutch.  That’s worked really well.  We served poffertjes which are Dutch round pancakes and moules frites, keeping things simple.  When these carriages were up for offer, various of the other traders suggested I should take them on. Now we’ve expanded into the Elephant Carriage, and are focusing on this so Go Dutch has closed.  

“I want to sell nice food to nice people.  Is that a terrible thing to say?  We also use proper plates, cutlery and glasses too because I think it’s good to have a treat.  It does mean that we limit ourselves to serving just in front of our carriages, and behind, so that we don’t have too far to retrieve the plates when things get busy!

“I am hugely proud of my business though, and for everyone who works with me to make it such a success.  That we have grown from a tiny truck delivering moules, to this Elephant Carriage which looks stunning, is testament to all the hard work that’s gone in to creating Shesells Seashells.  Sitting here makes me feel so chuffed!  And it’s also thanks to the management at the Harbour that this has been able to happen.  To facilitate the growth and to support businesses such as mine in having the scope to expand is really important, and absolutely gratefully received.  I couldn’t have done this without them.”

a local triangle

“My mussels come from Folkestone Trawlers and Boathouse Fisheries in St Mary’s Bay in Dymchurch.  They’re not very far away, and that’s important to me.  My wine is Chapel Down from Tenterden, and my soft drinks are Kingsdown in Deal so there’s a triangle of local produce served here.  I also offer a local steak, because not everyone likes sea food.  You can bet, in a group of 4, there will be someone…!  

“All of the mussels we sell are rope grown, and because we know our stockists, we can trace all our food back to where it’s come from.  

“Now, with the expansion, we can seat 40 or so people in the main carriage, and another 6 in the smaller carriage.  When the weather is good there’s extra outside seating too, and if you need a bit of shade we can also use the space behind the carriages on the station platform.”

researching food

“It’s a tough job but I had to go around to many different places, trying out sea food platters to make sure we were selling the best option.  They feed two people very well, and have a good selection on them.  There’s lobster, dressed crab, whelks and all sorts of treats for you.  

“My oysters are British, and do depend on various options as to where they come from.  You can get some delicious ones from Colchester. They’re washed down beautifully with a Bloody Mary. 

“The important thing about working on the Harbour Arm is having an idea that works.  Simple and effective work.  The pancakes and muscles worked for us in The Goods Yard, and this dining experience with us at Shesells Seashells is again, really simple.  Our menu is on the side, it’s delicious, local, something for everyone and open all weathers thanks to our beautiful carriages.  I am the She that sells the shells!”