Walrus & Oyster Emporium - Canterbury

Maksym Bekuzarov

Lovely shop with works of a lot of local (Kent) independent artists.

Loved the support for Ukraine too ❤️

Rachel Branson

Emma and the team are so helpful. They work hard to support local independent designers and the shop is full of unusual, one off pieces.

Fran Jull

What a charming little shop with crafts paintings of Canterbury, Harry Potter characters, among other celebrities. Also many other gift items.

Suma Rustian

Well, this Carboot have a many variety things, like pair of shoes, bags, furniture for your bed, accessories, fashion, ect... The price isn't bad either... You gotta come and take a look here...

Tatiana Schmidt

Most incredible shop/project, what a great experience! This is a shop made by and run by artists, as you walk around the shop every shelf has items in a complete and unique style of the artist that made it. I loved everything, and found some artists that are exactly my style. There is something there for everyone. The artist that was there on the day was super friendly and supportive of the other artists.

This is a mandatory stop for me in the area 🙂

Lauren Sadler

Amazing shop with so much choice! Unique and creative products from local artists. Lovely people and great customer service

Sophie Woodhams

Such a lovely shop and project helping small, independent artists get off the ground. The staff and atmosphere were lovely so definitely worth a visit if you're in Canterbury!! The prices were very reasonable too...

Tom White

The idea of this shop is fantastic, unique, locally produced product in a quirky, vibrant environment. Unfortunately, the execution leaves quite a lot to be desired. To be blunt, some staff (and I say some, as it may simply be a few bad apples) are rude to, and about, the customers, and quite brazenly so.

My partner and I visited the Walrus and Oyster recently, looking for a gift and while we were browsing the selection were approached and asked if we needed help, to which we confirmed we didn't and that we were just browsing. This prompted a less-than-subtle conversation, conducted at a deliberately audible volume, between the member of staff in question and her colleague about "people using the shop like it's a gallery".

We were then treated a brief interlude where we were not the topic of conversation, as their attentions fell on a poor young lady, with an admittedly interesting sense of style, but who was unkindly described as "a state" and as looking "like she needs a good wash". It was uncomfortable enough overhearing this unprovoked and mean-spirited conversation, and I truly hope for her sake that the young lady was as oblivious to these horrible comments as she appeared to be, although the speed with which she subsequently departed might indicate otherwise.

In the meantime we had narrowed our selection down to one of two rather lovely pieces of jewellery, and were discussing whether to simply buy both, when we were again approached by the same member of staff who asked us pointedly if we were "ready to buy anything yet" we confirmed we were nearly done, which elicited an the response "I won't hold my breath". I asked outright if there was some sort of issue with customers taking their time to choose to which the retort was "People aren't customers unless they buy something." at which point she turned and walked away.

Needless to say, we ended up purchasing a gift elsewhere.

It's a real shame, because as I understand it the shop showcases the work of dozens of different people, and so in all likelihood it wasn't themselves, but their fellows that these two hurt. However, whichever way you look at it, this kind of behaviour is inexcusable.