Other Agencies

SEEDA
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), as the Regional Development Agency for the South East, is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.
The Creative Foundation works closely with SEEDA on a number of initiaitives aimed at regenerating Folkestone.


Channel Corridor
The Channel Corridor Partnership co-ordinates economic initiatives for the Kent towns of Maidstone, Ashford and Folkestone. Its Executive Director Janice Wason is based in the Creative Foundation’s Glassworks offices.
Find out more about the partnership at www.channelcorridor.org


Folkestone Enterprise Gateway
Part of our ambition for the Creative Quarter is that it should help people make a living from their creative work, which in turn should give them the time and space to continue with that work. The Enterprise Gateway helps people thinking about starting or expanding their own businesses. Gateway Director Martin Roche can offer individual advice (it’s free) and also organises seminars on creative business topics.
It's partly a networking forum and a means of creative people keeping in touch and sparking new ideas. There’s no agenda, ever. Meetings last about an hour and half and start around 6pm.
If you'd like to join just e-mail the Gateway on info@folkestonegateway.com.

Part of the new Performing Arts and Business Centre will include a dedicated space for a creative business “hatchery”: the idea is to provide a cost-effective and supportive office environment for creative businesses in their start-up phase.


Kent County Council
The County Council plays a central role in many aspects of the drive to regenerate Folkestone. The Creative Foundation has close links with KCC's Children, Famillies and Education, Environment and Regeneration and Communities Directorates with which it works on a broad range of projects.


Shepway District Council
Shepway District Council covers Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh. The councils commitment to regenerating Folkestone is detailed on our Regeneration page. Current and recent projects include: Rail for Folkestone, the Bouverie Place Shopping Centre, the Coastal Park and Streets and Squares.


Folkestone Town Council
Following a Referendum of the town’s people in May 2003 and the subsequent approval of the Secretary of State, Folkestone Parish Council was formed on the 15 June 2004 and became a Town Council on 24 June 2004.


Go Folkestone
Go Folkestone was initially sponsored & formed as "Go Folkestone Action Group" by Folkestone Lions Club in 2001. Since then they have been working on behalf of the people of Folkestone to make Folkestone a better place to live in.


Arts and Health
The Creative Foundation arts-led regeneration project has a strong interest in the links between the arts and other sectors, and in particular in the impact that creativity can have on health. The Creative Foundation is delighted to have forged a partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University to initiate groundbreaking work in this area. Christ Church's Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health is based in Folkestone and is committed to researching the contribution of music and other participative arts activities in promoting the well-being and health of individuals and communities.


History Centre
The Folkestone People’s History Centre is another collaborative venture between Canterbury Christ Church University and The Creative Foundation. It also involves Folkestone Library, The Canterbury Archaeological Trust, local schools and historians. Located in Folkestone’s Old High Street (in the heart of the Creative Quarter) it aims to act as a base for historical research and discussion and is developing an internet archive of Folkestone’s history.
Anyone wanting more information or who think they would like to become involved can contact Lesley Hardy at lah16@canterbury.ac.uk or phone 01227 782607.


Club Shepway
Club Shepway is a group of emerging artists and writers, attempting to develop an active arena of cultural engagement and experimentation. Promoting contemporary art, music and its encompassing dialogue.
Playing with local histories, hidden memories and current affairs club Shepway is fundamentally concerned with the social and commercial development occurring in the area, locking onto its fading histories and current myths.
www.clubshepway.com


B & B Project space and Gallery
B & B Project space and Gallery is situated in Folkestone’s creative quarter, this former bed and breakfast has been renovated maintaining many of its original Edwardian features, creating a unique platform for emerging and established artists to showcase work and develop dialogue, raising cultural awareness in the area.
www.14tontinestreet.com