00:00When you think of a modern high street, you might think of barbers, vape shops and chain fast food.
00:05But one new shop is hoping to add some colour to the community and help small, local businesses at the same time.
00:11We've already got a Ramsgate Petticoat Landing for him.
00:13And it's out of town, it's been very successful, it's been running 10 years, very proud of that.
00:18But when the opportunity came to do one in a high street, and of course the high streets are suffering massively.
00:25And we're all guilty of that because we shop online, but people still want somewhere to go, they want somewhere to go out.
00:34Folkestone was very much on that target because it seems to be an up and coming town, it's very artisan, a lot of creativeness, a lot of positivity.
00:45The Emporium houses many small stalls, operated by businesses from Folkestone and across the country,
00:51which were selected based on their creativity and individuality.
00:54Now each of the stalls are only about as big as my wingspan, but there's plenty of them packed here into the old Wilkos.
01:00And there's almost a statement to be made, a closed shop now housing something different and new.
01:05This includes a local couple from Folkestone who share a stall selling their quite different products.
01:11Dirk photographs folks and I kill people there, it's just kind of how we roll.
01:15I think it's the fact that you had this great big empty Wilkos building, which has been for the last year or so.
01:22It's great that they've actually managed to use it for something creative and give all the people here in Folkestone an outlet.
01:28High streets are dying, you know, and while we will always be at the market, we wanted to be in the town centre as well
01:34because it's important to regenerate, as far as I'm concerned, the town centre.
01:37So it's really important to us, you know, to live in the town, to give something back.
01:41And they aren't the only ones. Lizzie paused her illustration business after getting married and having children,
01:46but says the Emporium meant she could easily pick up where she left off.
01:49I decided to join the Emporium here because I just like the vibe, there's lots of artists, lots of creatives,
01:55and I'm just giving it a go. So I'm jumping feet first, being brave and being bold and showcasing my work.
02:02I think what is really good is small businesses supporting small businesses.
02:06So just meeting my neighbours in this pitch here has been really cool.
02:09And we've got artists and people who sell antiques and vintage and I absolutely love it.
02:14It's inspiring, it gives life to an old building.
02:17Rather than making a profit, the Emporium says it wants to support local businesses
02:21and show that Folkestone's culture is just as colourful as its seafront.
