Bouverie Place Shopping Centre Opens

Bouverie Place Shopping Centre Opens

Another milestone in the regeneration of Shepway was reached on 26 November when Bouverie Place Shopping Centre opened its doors for the first time.

The introduction of 200,000sq ft of quality shopping space in large, modern units has given Folkestone the opportunity to attract many new national brand names to the town and the £30million shopping centre includes an ASDA superstore, Bhs, Next, New Look, HMV, Vodafone, the Body Shop and Sportsdirect. They are joined by Starbucks, Peacocks, George, Specsavers, mobile phone retailer ‘3’, Poundland and an ASDA Café. Read more...

Bouverie Place offers 570 new high quality car parking spaces in the adjoining car park, which also incorporates a new Shopmobility facility.

“This development is the culmination of many years’ hard work by the entire team, including Shepway District Council whose vision and support have been vital. It is a major development for both Bride Hall, who have developed and delivered this exciting vision for the town, and Warner Estate, who own and run the shopping centre,” said Bride Hall’s Roger Gorham. “The centre plays an important role in shaping Folkestone’s retail future.  The introduction of previously unrepresented brands creates a real change in the retail offer which continues to support Folkestone through a time of major change and investment in the town.”

Cllr Robert Bliss, Leader of Shepway District Council, says the new shopping centre provides a focal point for the town centre which not only sets the retail scene but gives a community heart to the town.

“The centre has provided new avenues for employment in the town with more than 1,000 new retail jobs created across 15 new stores. As well as creating new jobs, it is also another step forward for the district’s regeneration.  It has already done much to support Folkestone through a time of major change, by acting as a catalyst for further inward investment.

“The successful completion of this wonderful shopping centre marks yet another milestone in our regeneration ambitions.  With the cultural regeneration of the Old High Street and Tontine Street marching forward through the Creative Foundation, the growth of business parks, the promise of fast rail services and the redevelopment of the seafront and harbour just around the corner, Shepway is a very good place to be.”