Yesterday I invited the Shadow Culture Media and Sport Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, to visit the Creative Quarter and Creative Foundation in Folkestone.
We were given a tour by the Foundation's Artistic Director, Nick Ewbank, and Trevor Minter from the Folkestone Harbour Company. This included visiting Shane Record's gallery in the Old High Street, which is pictured above, the University Centre, The Quarterhouse and Screen South in Tontine Street. We also met with Roger De Haan to discuss the Foundation's work.
Culture and creative industries are at the heart of Folkestone’s revival. The Creative Foundation has given opportunities to new creative talent and businesses and I wanted Jeremy Hunt to see this work first hand so that it is top of his mind when leading Conservative policy in this area.
The digital and creative economy, covering everything from web designers, film makers, artists and writers is an increasingly important part of the economy as a whole. But to flourish, creative businesses often need to work together and develop a creative community, which is what makes Folkestone such an exciting place to be at the moment.