About Us
Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company is led by Sir Roger De Haan and an experienced board of directors.
Every member of the team shares a commitment to delivering a high-quality development that continues to bring substantial benefits to people who live and work in Folkestone. Employment opportunities within the Harbour Area have grown year on year. We incubate new businesses that are growing into established venues known across Kent.
Our vision
By the time we acquired the Harbour in 2004, it had fallen into a serious state of disrepair. Having realised the scale of the challenge, we set about restoring the dilapidated harbour, harbour station and seafront.
Our guiding principle is to create a vibrant and attractive place that can be enjoyed by residents and those who visit Folkestone. You are already able to enjoy Fountain Square which is an animated fountain loved by adults, dogs and children. We have worked hard to open the Viaduct so that this is a walkway connecting the town to the Harbour area. Walking above the harbour, you are following the tracks taken by many trains in the past. These would be delivering travelers embarking from here to Europe. The Station area has been transformed into a recreation space that allows us to celebrate its history, and bring our community together with events such as Walking With Ghosts, Community Carols at Christmas and live music throughout the year.
The Lighthouse has been renovated and is now a delightful Champagne bar. Here you drink alongside porpoises and enjoy views towards France. The concrete standing that once held a lorry park has been transformed into a shingle beach with the ever-popular Boardwalk connecting the Harbour Arm with the Lower Leas Coastal Park.
Our aim is to reinvent the English seaside experience. Once again Folkestone will be one of the country’s most popular destinations.