The £22 million project known as Folkestone – A Brighter Future reached its halfway point on 26 February 2026, marking a significant milestone for the town centre in Kent. The initiative, led by the Folkestone & Hythe District Council, is currently active across seven different sites to create greener streets and better public spaces.
A new bus station is being built at Middelburg Square, where permanent shelters are now being installed to improve facilities for local travellers. At the same time, Bouverie Square is being restored to its historical role as a garden square and will feature sustainable tanks to help manage rainwater naturally.
Residents will see work move to Cheriton Place starting on 2 March 2026, which will lead to road closures and parking suspensions until 24 April 2026. This next stage of construction follows the recent discovery of ancient Bronze Age pottery dating back to 1000BC during excavations on Cheriton Road.
Most of the funding for these improvements comes from a £19.79 million grant from the UK Government, with the local council providing an additional £2.2 million. The project aims to make the town easier to navigate for pedestrians and improve the link between the railway station and the sea.
Once the work is finished, the town centre will feature more trees and plants to encourage visitors to spend more time in the local area. The project is designed to help the local economy grow by making the shopping and leisure districts more attractive to both residents and tourists.
