'It has huge potential - so why was this seaside spot so empty?'

“The new waterside development is jam-packed with activities, entertainment and world-class food stalls for everyone...

” At first glance, you might assume this glowing description refers to Folkestone’s bustling harbour arm. But no - it’s how the Port of Dover promotes its Marina Curve. I was curious to see whether it truly lived up to the hype.



It was a sunny Sunday afternoon – the kind that almost demands you head to the coast for some sea air and good food. With my girlfriend and her two excitable dogs in tow, I set off to Dover to see whether the Marina Curve had become the vibrant destination it was pitched to be - or whether it still sits in the shadow of its trendier coastal cousin just along the shore. And that’s the comparison that kept playing on my mind.

Because if you’ve ever wandered along Folkestone’s Harbour Arm on a weekend, you’ll know what I mean. It’s alive with energy. From independent bars serving craft beer out of shipping containers, to fresh seafood kiosks and vintage shops - it’s a place where you can easily while away a full afternoon.

Has Dover’s Marina Curve, which opened in 2021 as part of the £250 million Western Docks Revival project, managed to capture even a sliver of that magic? First impressions were...

mixed. The walk along the Curve itself is pleasant. The view of the White Cliffs rising in the background, the sight of boats gently bobbing in the marina, and the historic Clock Tower Square all make for a picture-perfect setting.

The dogs were thrilled with the open space, sniffing everything in sight and enjoying the peacefulness. We strolled the full length and back, basking in the sunshine and thinking: “This could be something really special.” But the real test of a spot like this is what it has to offer – and this is where things felt a little undercooked.

According to the Port of Dover’s website, the Marina Curve is the “ideal location to relax into the warmer weather, and has an amazing collection of food and drink stalls set up in time for the summer season”. But as we wandered around, it was hard not to feel that this was overselling it a tad. Just four establishments were open: Big Pan Foods, Planet Earth Kitchen, Café on the Curve, and The Breakwater Brewery.

There was a wood-fired pizza unit on site too, but it was closed. Where were the crowds? Where was the buzz? Despite the glorious weather, the Curve felt more like a ghost town than a bustling waterfront destination. A handful of people wandered by, but there was no sense of occasion, no real reason to linger - unless, like us, you were there to see what all the quiet was about.

Still, we made the most of it. I opted for lunch at Big Pan Foods - a small setup with a limited menu but promising smells wafting from the grill. I went for the lamb wrap, which came with a refreshing watermelon and mint salad.

For £12.50, it felt like a fair deal - fresh, flavourful, and definitely filling. Sitting in the sun with that in hand was no hardship.

But with nowhere to sit outside Big Pan, I headed next door to The Breakwater Brewery to grab a drink. A cold lager cost a reasonable £5.50.

We found a table, stretched out, and took in the view. The dogs lounged happily at our feet. It was an enjoyable afternoon.

But it also begged the question – why isn’t this place full? Because the Marina Curve does have huge potential. You can see the vision behind it. It’s easy to imagine food festivals, live music, families enjoying street food, and couples sipping cocktails at sunset.

And in fairness, that vision isn’t dead. Dover is in the midst of a massive transformation. Alongside the £250 million Western Docks Revival, new images were revealed last year showing how the waterfront could evolve even further, with open green spaces, striking new office buildings, and modern public areas as part of the so-called Port of Dover 2050 project.

In total, almost half a billion pounds is expected to be invested in reviving Dover, with the Marina Curve playing a central role in that rejuvenation. But money alone won’t fix the problem. What the Curve needs now is a sense of purpose.

More traders, more variety, more events. It needs to give people a reason to visit and to keep coming back. Right now, it feels a bit like a stage waiting for a show that hasn’t started.

The setting is there. The infrastructure is in place. The sun is shining.

And yet, it’s quiet. Of course, these things take time. Folkestone’s harbour didn’t become what it is now overnight.

It took years of investment, creativity and hard work. Dover’s waterfront can get there, too. I don’t doubt that.

Because sitting there on a quiet Sunday afternoon, wrap in one hand, pint in the other, with the cliffs behind and calm waters ahead, I couldn’t help but think: this should be a gem on the Kent coast..