Folkestone was closed – in theory temporarily – at the end of 2012 to end over 100 years of racing at the only racecourse situated in Kent. This is due in main to the outdated facilities needing a total overhaul – as anyone who frequented the owners and trainers ‘cafe’ would no doubt be happy to testify to. The situation essentially comes down to development and the owners ‘Arena Leisure’ wanting to find a balance of updating the facilities with commercial development of the surrounding land in a deal with the council that has not been forthcoming. Hopefully a deal will be done at some point in the future that sees racing return.