Hidden in the heart of Margate's bustling Old Town is a quirky bed and breakfast with a cloud-like bedroom, bright yellow bathroom and rainbows on almost every wall.

The immersive, playful accommodation dubbed Big Bit is the brainchild of colour-lover Polly Chromatic

Segment on LIVE TV!

'This particular year has been really tough, especially because as a gift shop we weren't eligible for the last round of funding.'

Ellie Costello is in Margate's Old Town talking to shop owner Polly Chromatic about what Covid has done to small businesses in the seaside town.

“I’d been an actor for 15 years in London when I started to suffer from social anxiety,” explains Polly, 39. “I found myself increasingly incapable of getting on stage.

“So in 2017 I decided to leave the city. I also got myself a puppy, remembering how my childhood dog, Little Bit, had brought me so much happiness. I’d originally planned to call my new pup Bertie, but he was such a chill guy I gave him the name Dude instead.”

Polly initially relocated back to her family’s farm in Northamptonshire, but she’d always nurtured a dream of living by the sea – and it was to Margate in Kent.

Thirty-five-year-old Polly Chromatic’s unlikely change of career from actor to shopkeeper occurred when she decided to quit London and move to Margate in Kent two years ago. “I had major anxiety in London,” she says. “I had so much anxiety that I couldn’t go on the tube and had to stop working as an actor. I wanted peace, community and to make my money work – whether that was investing in a property or setting up a business.” Donger was not sure what that business might be, until one day when she looked at her colourful Pinterest board. “I realised I had an aptitude for seeking out awesome independent makers, and while I thought I can’t draw, I can put stuff in a space and make it look pretty,” she says. She found a two-bedroom flat with a retail space below. Her shop, Little Bit, which stocks independent brands, acrylic jewellery, clothing and gifts, opened in summer 2017.

A lovely piece about creating a colourful wonderland Big Bit Margate for people to stay in featured in Mollie Makes May 2019 Edition 106.

Description goes hereWas delighted for my little shop Little Bit to be featured in Coast Magazines Shop of the Month feature

A Little Bit chuffed to be featured in the Telegraph! It really is the loveliest pat on the back. I was stunned to be asked a month ago for an interview, they even sent down a snazzy photographer and snapped a few pics of me and the Dude! So fancy!