By Rich Holgate, Cabinet Member for Place Plan, Heritage, Tourism and District Economy
I have the pleasure of representing tourism, heritage and the economic development across the district. Approaching the halfway point of our term we have begun to make great headway across the portfolio.
Our heritage efforts have seen the revision and imminent launch of a new strategy aimed at enhancing and protecting the wide variety of heritage assets this district has to offer. The council has also hired a ‘heritage and conservation officer’ to increase the capacity to focus on this important part of its work.
From a tourism perspective we inherited a complicated mix of brands, websites and assets which was confusing for visitors and residents to navigate. We have therefore streamlined and simplified our online presence with the creation of a new one-stop shop for all things Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. The new https://folkestoneandhythe.co.uk/ website will be a growing showcase of everything our district has to offer. I am absolutely delighted to have launched this and am excited about its potential to boost local tourism.
Elsewhere, we have used a variety of funding sources to support local businesses. Through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, we have awarded £391,471 and the Green Business Grant Scheme has seen £205,777 awarded in grants.
Finally, I have spent much of my portfolio time pushing forward our Levelling Up project – Folkestone – A Brighter Future, using £20 million in government funding to transform Folkestone town centre. It targets three priorities:
- Road and active travel improvements near Folkestone Central station, new signage, and better pedestrian and cyclist connections.
- An updated road network for the post-port era, introducing two-way traffic on Middelburg Square north and simplifying Shellon Street. Traffic speeds will drop, creating safer streets.
- The bus station at Bouverie Square will become a ‘green heart,’ while new accessible bus stops will line Middelburg Square. The new square and other improvements will reinvigorate this part of Folkestone.
With construction work due to begin by Autumn 2025, it is a hugely exciting time as the project nears its delivery phase. We set about ensuring we engaged with as many people as possible to help shape the project, using innovative virtual reality technology to bring the plans to life. As a result, hundreds of people have provided their valued input.
This is just a snapshot of the work I have had the privilege of being involved in. Lot’s done – and plenty still to do!
Councillor Rich Holgate: Boosting tourism, heritage and the local economy
