The owners of ‘Kent’s best fish and chip shop’ have launched a business selling doughnuts in Folkestone.

Bosses at Sandy’s Fish and Chips have opened a new unit at the town’s harbour in a unit formerly known as The Smokehouse.

Owner Andy Burnett says he has “big plans” for the site, and has leased the building previously owned by the Rocksalt Group.

Sandy’s Donuts will initially operate as a takeaway, although Mr Burnett intends to launch a cafe and restaurant at the building next year.

A “soft opening” was held at the weekend, with the businessman describing the reaction from customers as “amazing”.

He believes the venture will be “great for the whole of the harbour”, revealing he had to take the spot as it was being eyed up by a rival chippie.

“Another fish and chip shop wanted the building, so we had to take it really. I did not want the competition with our shop,” he said.

“I’m just so happy the building is being used again. We can't have a beautiful building like this empty.

“The cafe and restaurant space will not be used until at least the end of this year.

“The cost-of-living crisis has made it very difficult for us to open the whole unit. I’m in no rush to use this space, but at some point the cafe will open.

“Doughnuts just seemed the logical thing for the time being, and the reaction last weekend was amazing.”

The Smokehouse, which used to be home to a fish and chip shop, closed its doors in 2021 after being sold by The Rocksalt Group.

The Rocksalt Group is owned by Josh De Haan, and includes seven other venues, including Rocksalt Restaurant, The Duke William, The Five Bells Inn, The Radnor Arms, The Woolpack Inn, The Pilot Bar and Little Rock.

Sandy’s Donuts will initially be open at weekends from 12pm to 6pm, with the aim of going to seven days a week after Easter next year.

Mr Burnett, 45, says the cafe will serve “traditional English food” once open and will keep fish and chips separate from his original business.

Sandy’s Fish and Chips was voted the best in the county by KentOnline readers earlier this year.

The Only Way is Essex star Gemma Collins was spotted ordering food at the shop in May.

Mr Burnett also hopes to be expanding the menu when opening again on Saturday.

“At the moment it’s just doughnuts, but if all goes well with the delivery there will be candy floss and slushies this weekend too,” he said.

“We taste-tested so many different ideas for the doughnuts and we all agreed on the right mix. People seem to be loving it.”