Ambitious ideas to improve Folkestone town centre and beyond were revealed during an online presentation and include more public spaces, an improved road network and a tidal pool.

Hundreds of people joined the webinar on Monday night which was organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council and the urban experts it has hired to work on the plans, London-based firm We Made That.

The 90-minute session detailed work that has been going on behind the scenes to come up with a Place Plan for the town, which is essentially a blueprint for the future.

It was revealed that the team of consultants are focusing on six areas within Folkestone: station arrival, Sandgate Road West, town centre core, the Creative Quarter, the coastal and heritage quarter, and the harbour and Sunny Sands.

Six 'missions' have also been identified as part of the approach to the Place Plan.

These are: celebrating what's great, focusing on a town centre for the future, a place for all voices, moving sustainably, access to opportunity and delivering quality.

In terms of the station approach, the team said there is an opportunity to improve the public realm, which could include creating a small square or garden.

A mobility hub could potentially include direct bus routes to the seafront or a place to hire bikes. Better signs could also help and some roads and junctions could be improved, it was heard.

It was noted that improved public spaces would also benefit Sandgate Road West. Here there is also an opportunity for new homes and a chance to reduce vacancy.

A possible suggestion for the town centre core was relocating the bus station and re-instating Bouverie Square.

Upgrades could also be made to Guildhall Street and a strong focus would be on transforming Folca - the former Debenhams building - into a place for work, the community, or health and leisure facilities.

The previous idea of adding a cinema in the ex-department store was also raised during the virtual meeting.

The council offices, currently in Castle Hill Avenue, could also be moved into the town centre, and a public area for walking, cycling and skateboarding was also highlighted as a potential idea.

For the Creative Quarter, the chance to make connections to the upcoming F51 urban skate park, which is still under construction, was noted, plus improving public spaces such as Payers Park.

A chance to better celebrate the Memorial Arch and Road of Remembrance was also touched upon when discussing the coastal area and heritage quarter, as well as re-instating the Leas Lift.

At the harbour and Sunny Sands, the team said there is opportunity to improve public spaces, add toilets and showers, improve Tram Road, update the Sunny Sands pavilion and possibly create a tidal pool.

More than 150 questions from members of the public were put to the panel during the webinar.

These included questions about Folca's future, shuffling shops around on Sandgate Road, the chance to create a young persons' shadow cabinet, improving disabled toilets in the town and adding a lido.

One resident also asked about a park and ride scheme.

The team at We Made That said it would try and answer all questions online after the meeting, which was recorded and will be available to be watched back.

Cllr David Monk, leader of FHDC, said the Place Plan was an "exciting project".

A survey for residents asking for feedback is now expected to be added to the council's website.

Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/folkestoneplaceplan

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