Local Spotlights in Deal

132 High Street, Deal

Emma is the force behind Barkened, a beloved shop on the high street that stocks wonderful pieces for homes, people and dogs. “Everything we stock is very carefully selected – all of our products have a story behind them, such as the people that make them, why they make them, how they make them, where they come from – it’s the stories that I am particularly interested in.”

If you’re visiting Deal, Emma suggests walking the entire High Street, from Alfred Square right the way up to Deal Castle, as that way you’ll get to see all of the fantastic independent shops, galleries and places to eat and drink.

83 Beach Street, Deal

Occupying the elegant attic rooms of a storied Georgian townhouse, the Pelican Rooms is a wellness centre for locals and visitors alike, with soothing, seascape-inspired interiors bedecked in Liberty London prints and put together by local studio, Brickhouse Interiors. Kate, who runs this intimate wellbeing establishment, is one of six therapists.

“Between us, we have a wide range of qualifications and so we are able to offer our clients a wide range of services, ranging from deep tissue and sports massage therapy to more aesthetic treatments like micro-dermabrasion and micro-needling.”

Her favourite things about Deal? How small but perfectly formed it is, the Brutalist pier, the mix of interesting independent businesses and the constant, steady stream of visitors discovering it for the first time.

156 High Street, Deal 

If you’ve ever lusted over the interiors of our Deal holiday cottages – or indeed, Deal properties discovered elsewhere – chances are that many of the interior pieces were sourced at Mileage. Run by Davina, Mileage is an independent Deal business established by four local residents in 2010 who took over the Old Forge – Martin Wharton, Kristine Hosdon, Helen O’Brien and Davina herself.

“It was very exciting to take over an old motorcycle garage and transform it into a warm, welcoming retail space.  “I’m not attracted to pieces of a particular furniture period – what I’m looking for is craftsmanship – pieces that have been carefully constructed and thoughtfully produced. This always shines out.”

If you’re here for the weekend – Davina insists the one thing you simply cannot miss is the walk to Kingsdown or Sandwich Bay. This is best finished with a drink at one of the many local pubs, where, in Davina’s words, “everyone is so friendly that it won’t take long to strike up a conversation with a Deal resident.”