Folca is the name of the building on the corner of Bouverie Place and Sandgate Road in Folkestone. The council bought the former Debenhams department store in May 2020 with a view to it having a significant role to play in the future regeneration of the town centre
In 2021, Folca was even run as a vaccination centre by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and the GP-led Channel Health Alliance.
The large building has different architectural features and for the purposes of future proposals the Edwardian section of the building on Bouverie Place is known as Folca 1 whilst the Art Deco section on Sandgate Road is known as Folca 2.
Latest proposals
The building is currently empty and the council is proceeding with plans for the future of the site. Unfortunately a developer confirmed that the hoped for medical centre was no longer a viable proposition for Folca 1. Following an extensive feasibility assessment, it was decided that disposal of Folca 1 on the open market was the most prudent option for the council. Cabinet Members agreed to this course of action at a Cabinet meeting in July 2025.
A commercial real estate agent has been appointed to undertake the sale of Folca 1 on behalf of Folkestone & Hythe District Council The brochure for the site can be found on the Avison Young website.
The council hopes the opportunity of engaging with the private sector to purchase Folca 1 can help bring forward the entire Folca site as a destination for residents and visitors alike.
Meanwhile, the future of Folca 2 – the Art Deco section on Sandgate Road – was also discussed, with a mixed-use scheme still the preferred option. This could be fully commercial or a combination of public sector, medical and commercial uses.
Pursuing a flexible, mixed-use approach enables the council to continue exploring the provision of a new medical facility in Folca 2 with the NHS Integrated Care Board.
An investment for the future
The development will benefit from a £1.44m grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme designed to secure carbon reduction benefits for the Folca 2 project.
A further £20m of is being invested into the town centre through the government-funded Folkestone – A Brighter Future programme; £2.2m of which is earmarked for Folca.
Next steps
A full business case for Folca 2 and final set of recommendations with the preferred occupation strategy will be presented to councillors in early 2026, while a first phase of construction work will start in early 2026. This work will ensure the building is fully watertight and prepare the space for future fit-out works.
You can find our latest release on the project in our news section.
Press releases issued about the project before 2022 can be found in our development project press release archive.