Folkestone Sports Centre to be sold as owners face administration

Folkestone Sports Centre in Kent is to be brought to market after the trust which owned the facility was placed into administration this July.

Opus Restructuring LLP has instructed property adviser Christie & Co to conduct the sale.

The centre, which occupies a site of just over 11 acres, originally formed part of the Radnor Estate in Folkestone.

It’s understood to have been gifted by Lord Radnor in the 1960s, with the main centre being developed from the late 60s and formally opened by Princess Anne in 1972.

Over the years, the property and business has evolved, adding on a wellness centre through acquisition in 1986.

The business had been operating on both a regular user and membership basis, as well as for pay and play visitors, offering a wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities.

These include two swimming pools, a health and fitness suite, indoor sports hall, three squash courts, spin and aerobics studios, a health and beauty facility and cafe/bar.

Outside are three outdoor tennis courts, an archery area, dry ski slope, nine-hole footgolf course and a SkyWalk high ropes course – the latter being one of the most recent developments, opened in Spring 2021.

Free on-site car parking is provided in three areas around the main building.

Adrian Dante, joint administrator from Opus Restructuring, said: “The administration of Folkestone Sports Centre Trust Limited, particularly after such a long period of ownership and operation of a business that is so highly regarded by users and the wider community alike, came as a shock.

“The administration process will enable the property to find a new owner and hopefully new investment through an open marketing process.

“We have asked Christie & Co to coordinate the sale on our behalf, and any potentially interested parties should contact them for further information.”

Tom Glanvill, director at Christie & Co, added: “This is an extensive piece of real estate on a large site.

“As a result, we envisage that interest could come from a diverse range of property investors, as well as operators within the health and fitness and wider leisure sector.

“We are aware of the importance of Folkestone Sports Centre to the local community, and indeed, we have already received a number of expressions of interest in the property.

“We envisage that following a period of marketing, invitations to submit offers on a subject-to-contract-only basis will be made in order that the future of Folkestone Sports Centre can be determined as soon as possible.”