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Libertines frontman Carl Barât's Love Cafe in Margate closes

A Margate café co-owned by Libertines frontman Carl Barât has closed - having traded for just one year.

The lease for Love Café - which was run by the rocker, his partner Edie Langley, restaurateur Gizzi Erskine and music manager Ronnie Traynor - is now being advertised by estate agents from Miles & Barr.

The Love Café in Margate. Picture: Google
The Love Café in Margate. Picture: Google
Carl Barat of The Libertines co-owned Love Café. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Carl Barat of The Libertines co-owned Love Café. Picture: Barry Goodwin

This comes as a message on the Marine Gardens eatery's Instagram page states it is "now closed".

Material published by Miles & Barr says: "This is an outstanding opportunity.

"It is situated in a position that has a vibrant nightlife, with additional footfall during the day across the year."

The site - which comprises a kitchen, restaurant and bar - is available to let for £18,000 a year, following the payment of a £65,000 business premium.

All the equipment in the building - like the tables, chairs and bar area - is included in the lease.

Love Cafe, 3-4 Marine Gardens, Margate
Love Cafe, 3-4 Marine Gardens, Margate
Pete Doherty and Carl Barât of The Libertines, who also own The Albion Rooms hotel in Margate. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Pete Doherty and Carl Barât of The Libertines, who also own The Albion Rooms hotel in Margate. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Barât opened the café in September 2021, taking over space last occupied by Black Cat Bar.

At the time, the 44-year-old said it would take inspiration from the classic greasy spoon, while serving local produce and an array of cocktails.

Ms Erskine said ahead of its opening: "We’re all investing our own money in this, which is notably dumb, but we want to make an honest representation of what we see modern British café culture being.

"Most of us will have memories of going to the seaside, where greasy spoons were at the crux of the community."

The Libertines also launched a boutique hotel in the town in 2020.

Love Café was a quirky coffee shop and cocktail bar in Margate
Love Café was a quirky coffee shop and cocktail bar in Margate

The Albion Rooms Residence - a seven-room hotel featuring a restaurant, café, bars and recording studio - is based on the Margate seafront.

Singer Peter Doherty previously described it as "a fine Arcadian bolthole, a perfect place to recline, write, record, with rejoicing and knees up aplenty".

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