A playground, grocery shop and communal BBQ will feature at this year’s Oyster Festival campsite after organisers revealed further details about the event.

The festival, which will take place from Thursday, July 23 until Sunday, August 2, will set up its first-ever campsite on the Church Street playing field.

Councillors had earlier feared the site – named The Oyster Bed – could be disruptive to nearby residents but organisers say it will make it easy for families wishing to visit the town during the festival.

Hot showers, a kids playground, a café, small grocery shop and a communal BBQ will be on offer to campers.

Festival spokesman James Penfold said in a statement: “In line with Whitstable Oyster Festival’s current policy to promote Whitstable and The Oyster Festival as the ultimate stay-cation destination, The Oyster Bed will provide an economic solution for families wishing to visit the town, while providing a fully managed festival campsite for those that wish to experience the festival over a number of days and nights.

“Located just a mile away from the High Street, the Oyster Bed provides the perfect opportunity to bring the family to the Kent coast and enjoy a summer holiday in the UK, just the way your parents and grand-parents did.”

Organisers have also confirmed a new partnership with the town’s historic Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company.

The tie-up will ensure locally produced lager and ale become the official brews of the festival for the first time.

Gus Corcoran, from organisers The Event Umbrella, said: “We are really pleased to announce this long term partnership.

“It’s the perfect fit with one of the world’s most historic oyster companies strongly supporting the festival.

“Locals as well as visitors can enjoy oysters, celebrate the town’s history and culture and can now do so while sampling Whitstable’s very own brewery’s lager and ale.”

An all-new festival website will go live tomorrow (Friday) at www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk