A bookshop built on community, creativity and connection
Independent businesses are helping shape a new story for Herne Bay – one defined by creativity, collaboration and a strong sense of place. Among those leading the way is Jacqui Delbaere, founder of The Little Green Bookshop, an independent bookshop on Herne Bay High Street that has become much more than a place to buy books.
Founded in 2022, The Little Green Bookshop is a welcoming hub for readers, writers, families and visitors alike. Alongside a carefully curated selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, the shop hosts book clubs, author talks, writing workshops and community events that bring people together through a shared love of stories.
Over the past three years, its popular ‘Spoken by the Sea’ open mic evenings have become a staple of Herne Bay’s cultural calendar – selling out regularly and showcasing the creative talent that exists within the town.
Taking the leap
For Jacqui, opening a bookshop had long been an aspiration.
“I’ve always been an avid reader and I’m a people person. I’d often thought that maybe one day it would be great to open a bookshop, then I reached a crossroads in my life and thought, ‘If not now, when?’ So, I just took the leap – and here we are four years later.”
It was a decision driven by equal parts passion and courage, resulting in a business that has quickly become woven into the fabric of Herne Bay life.
Celebrating Herne Bay
Among the achievements Jacqui is most proud of is the creation of the Herne Bay Town Map in 2025.
The idea emerged from conversations taking place every day in the bookshop, with visitors frequently asking where they could shop, eat and explore in the town.
Determined to celebrate everything Herne Bay had to offer, Jacqui transformed that simple idea into a town-wide initiative showcasing the very best of the local independent scene.
Illustrated by local artist Lisa McGuinness, the map features 91 businesses, alongside Herne Bay’s creative spaces, green areas and iconic seafront attractions.
Jacqui led the project from conception to completion – coordinating the design, budgeting, funding and distribution. Support was secured through partnerships with the Herne Bay Coastal Community Team, The Rotary Club, Canterbury City Council and local businesses.
Today, the map is distributed at Herne Bay railway station, in local venues and through a digital QR code, encouraging both residents and visitors to discover more of the town’s hidden treasures.
Looking ahead
Supporting Herne Bay’s cultural life remains an important part of the bookshop’s mission.
In September 2026, The Little Green Bookshop will launch Herne Bay’s first Literary Festival.
Under the banner ‘Crime by the Sea’, the festival will bring acclaimed crime and thriller authors to the town, with events taking place across a range of independent venues. In doing so, the festival will encourage visitors to explore Herne Bay more widely and experience the richness of its local business community.
The ambition is clear: to establish the Herne Bay Literary Festival as a recurring cultural event and an important part of the town’s future.
A hidden gem on the Kent coast
The Herne Bay Town Map carries the title “The Hidden Gem” – and for Jacqui, that description captures exactly what makes the town so special.
“Herne Bay has so much to offer. The seafront is wonderful and spacious, and the people here are so friendly.”
A town with stories still to tell
Jacqui Delbaere’s story demonstrates the important role independent businesses can play in shaping the identity of a place.
Through The Little Green Bookshop, she has created far more than a retail space. She has built a welcoming community hub, championed emerging writers and artists, supported fellow businesses and developed initiatives that celebrate Herne Bay itself.
Her story reflects a wider truth about the town: Herne Bay is a place where entrepreneurs are encouraged to think creatively, collaborate generously and build businesses with purpose.
For those considering investing in Herne Bay, The Little Green Bookshop offers a compelling example of what is possible. With passion, patience and community spirit, businesses here can do more than succeed – they can help write the town’s next chapter.
