🚧 Leas Lift reopening pushed back by a year

Plus: Pub set to close next month, and families flock to reopened play area

The long-awaited reopening of the Leas Lift has been pushed back by a year, with the team behind the restoration of the Grade II-listed funicular railway now saying they hope it will be up and running in the spring of 2027.

In a statement released yesterday, Folkestone Leas Lift Company interim chief executive Jo Streeter said “delays” due to the “size and complexity” of the project to reopen the historic cliff lift mean it will not now operate until next year.

When the Dispatch visited the site last summer to report on the progress of the restoration, the charity’s then-CEO Floortje Hoette told us the aim was to have the lift open to passengers in the spring of this year. This target was subsequently restated at the time of the Leas Lift’s 140th anniversary last September.

At the end of March, with that deadline approaching, we asked the charity for an update but it felt unable to provide any further information at that time beyond saying “good progress continues on site”. Despite regular repeated requests since then, no update on plans for opening was forthcoming until yesterday.

A timber-frame extension will house the new kitchen and bar area at the Leas Lift

In a media release announcing the start of work on an extension to the lift’s lower station, Ms Streeter said: “Seeing the frame go up has been such an exciting development and will be the first of many this year. Inevitably with a project of this size and complexity, there have been some delays but we’re looking forward to getting the carriages back on the tracks and the new sheave wheel in place, with a view to opening to the public in spring 2027.”

We have asked the charity to elaborate on the nature and cause of the delays which have contributed to the planned reopening being pushed back by 12 months.

This is not the first time that the timetable has slipped significantly. In November 2023, when announcing £4.8 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the charity said it planned to reopen the lift in 2025—a date which still remains published on a welcome page on the Leas Lift website.

While it is disappointing that another summer will pass without the Victorian funicular ferrying passengers from the coastal park to The Leas, work is continuing on site. A single-storey timber frame extension that will house the kitchen and bar area of a planned hospitality space has been erected adjacent to the original waiting room. It will be open to visitors all year round, with 32 covers indoors and 18 on an outdoor deck.

Ms Streeter said: “This project is about far more than just restoring the lift. We want to ensure it’s here for the community for years to come and that means making sure it’s financially sustainable. Revenue from our three food and beverage outlets will play a key part in the business model so it’s important that we get that right.

“This won’t be ‘just another cafe’ but rather a heritage destination that includes exhibits on the history of the lift, ways for visitors to engage and learn and a real hub for the community—as well as a fully restored, working lift.”

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News in brief

🛝 The revamped Lower Leas Coastal Park children’s play area has reopened and is already proving a hit with the summer holiday crowds. Families have been flocking to the park following the completion of a £750,000 revamp which has delivered “more equipment and more inclusive elements” than were part of the previous play area. Speaking at an official opening ceremony in bright sunshine yesterday afternoon, district council leader Jim Martin praised all those who had worked on the project.

Families enjoying the new play area in the sunshine yesterday afternoon

He said: “Normally when I open anything I have to encourage people to come and use it, I have to say that I hope plenty of people will use it. But all you have to do is look around you today and you can see it is absolutely thronging, so I hope this continues and I am sure it will. I hope that every child who comes and plays in this park has a fabulous time.”

🍽️ The Brickfield pub and restaurant in Cherry Garden Lane is set to close next month as owners Whitbread withdraw from the restaurant business. Opened in 1995, the venue—pictured below—has traded under a number of brands, most recently as a Cookhouse & Pub. The building is being marketed for sale with an asking price of £850,000, and is understood to be offered as a going concern.

🚨 Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage after a driver was killed in a crash on Hythe Road in Pedlinge shortly before 6.30pm on Monday. Officers were called to reports a blue Ford Fiesta had collided with a tree. The driver, an 80-year-old man from Romney Marsh, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A spokesman for Kent Police said: “An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is being led by the serious collision investigation unit and they would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or the moments before.” Anyone with information should call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference BN/SL/061/26.

🤝 Tributes have been paid to the founder president of Channel Rotary Club, David Jarvis, following his death at the age of 89. Mr Jarvis, pictured below, became manager of the Folkestone branch of Lloyds Bank in 1978, and by the time he retired in 1991 he had risen to become a senior manager working in the City of London. A spokesman for the club said: “Formed in 1980, Channel Rotary was brought into being through David’s vision, determination and ability to inspire others. He not only masterminded the creation of the new club and helped find its members, but also went on to serve as its first president.”

🏠 Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been recognised as one of the country’s best performing council housing landlords after being awarded the highest possible consumer standards judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing. The council is the first in Kent to achieve the distinction and one of just 13% of councils nationwide to hold the top grade. A four-month inspection highlighted a number of strengths across the councils housing service, including a commitment to involving tenants in decision making and high levels of compliance with health and safety requirements. Cllr Rebecca Shoob, the authority’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “Becoming the first local authority in Kent to achieve the top rating from the Regulator of Social Housing is not only a significant achievement, but also a testament to the dedication of staff, tenants and partners. While we are proud of this recognition, we remain committed to keeping tenants at the heart of what we do and improving the services we provide.”

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That’s all from me this week. It was great to head down to the Coastal Park yesterday and see so many people of all ages out there enjoying the weather and Folkestone’s stunning coastline. What a reminder that we’re incredibly lucky to call this place home. Next week’s newsletter will be in your inboxes at the same time next Wednesday, and On The Town will be with you on Monday. If by any chance you have not been receiving our two weekly emails, please do check your spam folder in case they have mistakenly landed there.

All the best, Rhys

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