New £6.6million attraction to finally start works at trendy seaside town
ONE of the UK’s trendiest seaside towns has revealed new images of its £6.6million attraction set to re-open.
Folkestone’s Leas Lift was forced to close back in 2017.
However, works are to finally start on the multi-million pound attraction after London-based firm Apex Contractors have been appointed the £5million contract.
The firm will spend the next three months preparing the site for construction.
The Grade-II listed funicular will be fully restored to operate again which will transport passengers from the cliffside to the beach.
Along with this, the waiting room will be renovated along with a new cafe and outdoor terrace.
Chair of the Leas Lift Build Committee Jo Streeter said they were “extremely excited” that works were finally starting.
They added: “We wanted to be absolutely sure that as well as getting value for money – which is vital for our funders and supporters – we selected a company that understands what the Lift means to Folkestone.”
Dan Hollis, managing director at Apex, said: “From the moment we had the opportunity to work on the project, our whole team have been excited about bringing a local landmark with national importance back into public use.”
Along with £4.8million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is expected to cost £6.6million.
It hopes to open by summer 2025 although some fear this could be delayed.
The 138-year-old lift is one of only three water-balanced funiculars remaining in the UK.
Having opened in 1885, it carried thousands of people on its first day, with 36million passengers by the time it closed.
Folkestone even had two other lifts – The Metropole Lift and the Sandgate Hill Lift – although these no longer exist.
One of the most famous UK funiculars is the Saltburn Cliff Lift which reopened back in September following a fire.
But Folkestone is set to be a popular seaside destination in the UK, taking on other Kent towns such as Margate and Whitstable.
We spoke to a number of locals about Folkestone, who have seen huge changes in recent years.
Local Simon, who owns the Champagne Bar which is the ‘closest to France in the UK’ said: “We were told we were mad to open in Folkestone 10 years ago – now look at us.”
There is also Burrito Buoy, a Mexican restaurant that launched their own store after huge success on the Harbour Arms.
Run by couple Sammy and Matt, who is from Oregon, they opened because they “couldn’t get food like this anywhere else”.
And beach-side Brewing Brothers, who opened their first Kent bar after success in Sussex, said: “There’s been so much music this year and going to be even bigger next year.”
The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor on living in Folkestone
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey explains why Folkestone is a great place to live.
I made the move to Folkestone a few years ago, leaving the busy life of London and have never looked back.
Named one of the Best Places to Live in 2024 study by the Times, it toes the balance of being an exciting place to live, without feeling like a seaside town catered to tourists.
There is the Harbour Arm, with bars, eateries and shops, as well as the multi-coloured shops lining the Creative Quarter.
You can test your skills at F51, the worlds first multi storey skate park, or pop on the Eurotunnel and be in Calais in 35 minutes.
And often walking past the Leas Lift (where the former cafe did one of the best hot chocolates), I can’t wait for it to be restored.
Make sure to visit the new London & Paris hotel too, one of the only boutique hotels in town.
Even the owner backed Folkestone, saying: “I’ve been to other seaside towns and you don’t get that same community feeling – and the food and drink scene here is fantastic.”