Another exciting virtual reality ride is in store for visitors to public engagement events on Friday 8 March and Saturday 9 March at Folkestone Town Hall.
Attendees will get to experience the next phase of ambitious proposals for Folkestone town centre with the help of interactive technology. The ambitious proposals are part of the Folkestone – A Brighter Future (FABF) project which is funded by government Levelling Up money.
This is the third engagement event run by Folkestone & Hythe District Council, the previous two events both attracting hundreds of attendees. Detailed designs for phase one of the project will be unveiled, with the opportunity to see the changes from Station Approach down Cheriton Road and onto Middelburg Square in virtual reality. Updated proposals for Shellons Street, changed as a result of previous engagement events, will also be displayed.
The sessions will be run from 1pm – 7pm on Friday 8 March and 11am – 4pm on Saturday 9 March at Folkestone town hall, 1 – 2 Guildhall St, Folkestone, CT20 1DY.
The virtual reality experience will last about 15 minutes and can be booked in advance online. Booking is strongly recommended as places are limited. The plans will also be displayed on boards at the event and everyone’s feedback will be welcomed.
Cllr Rich Holgate, Cabinet Member for the District Economy, said: “We’ve already made major changes to the plans based on previous feedback so it’s clear that local views really do matter to us.
“The proposed changes will radically change the look of the town centre so please pop in to let us know what you like or dislike about the plans. Your feedback is essential to help us refine the scheme to make it work better for the community.”
Simon Mabey from Digital Urban, creators of the virtual reality tour, said: “We’re so glad that this playful and immersive technology is boosting engagement for these events. The Council is showing national leadership in using virtual reality to engage with a wider demographic of their community. These are major changes planned so it is wonderful to be able to provide a tangible experience for local people to experience them before they are set in stone.”
Even if you can’t make it to an event the council would still love to hear what you think. The latest designs will be on the council’s website from Monday 4 March along with an online survey to capture feedback.
Specific feedback from previous events and our responses to them can be viewed online now. To see the feedback or to book your virtual reality experience please visit: www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/folkestone-levelling-up