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Built for creatives.
Loved by everyone.
In the loft of an old department store, there's a space with heaps of character and everything you need for your next event.
Big rooms with character are hard to come by.
The interesting ones are tied up. The cheap ones are a bit...sad? And anything that ticks
all the boxes is an hour each way.
That's why The Loft exists.
A large studio full of potential, fully kitted out
with surround sound and pro lighting. 10 minutes from Folkestone Central (see where we are) and bookable at virtually any hour of the day.
A space for every moment
What we cater for
◎ Shoots
Imagine a room built for cameras. With full-length windows, plenty of natural light, a green room for prep, a piano (!), couches, exposed timber rafters, textured walls, and pro kit ready to shoot.
➤ Live performances
With capacity up to 150 and a mobile drinks bar, The Loft is an unforgettable backdrop for spoken word nights, live music, indie festivals, and that birthday party nobody saw coming.
✵ Wellness & Workshops
We support growing practitioners with small audiences through profit-share options—especially those offering retreats, somatic workshops, and other wellness-adjacent offers.
✌︎ Corporate events
Trade the boardroom for something a lot less boring. Our doors are wide open for team building events, team photoshoots, intimate launches, day retreats, and private screenings.
Need to see to believe?
Email us to schedule a free visit
If walls could talk
Who knows, maybe they can!
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Entry lounge
With a couch, two armchairs, an upright piano, rugs, and a gorgeous CRT TV from the 70s that makes for an iconic prop.
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Central layout view
The central wall dividing the green room (to the left) from the entry lounge (to the right)
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Green room
Curtained section with mirrors and lounge seating, often used for backstage prep, but also ideal for meetings and podcasting.
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Primary space
One of Folkestone's most iconic blank canvases, The Loft stretches the full width of the building and retains many original features.
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Over 120 m² of pure potential
Our spacious, open-plan layout adapts to virtually any scenario, leaving plenty of room for your creative vision.
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Studio configuration
Stick to traditional portrait setups, or use our raw, textured walls to add an edge to your photos.
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Class configuration
A studio this bright and airy is the perfect place to practise and host yoga, Pilates, dance or floor work classes.
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Screening room arrangement
Host film clubs, team outings, or micro film festivals thanks to our full projection setup and surround sound.
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Set the mood
Whether you're planning an album launch or a private function, the space remains versatile and always radiates warmth.
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Play with shadow
Into moody portraits or light patterns?You’re in luck. The sunlight here will do (almost) all the work for you.
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Performance and production
Use our versatile studio for music videos, choreography, live performances, or film shoots.
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Controlled studio environment
Roll down the shutters and transition from daylight to a powerful photography studio, complete with top studio lights and backdrops.
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Make it yours
Play with our curated collection of furniture, rugs, plants, and props—and rearrange it to match your vision.
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Unrivalled floor capacity
Ditch the cramped mats. We’re the only space in Folkestone & Hythe where you can stretch this much, and even more.
And who’s behind The Loft?
Wellllll, funny you ask!
We're Nathan and Cairo, two almost normal people with lofty dreams of creating a multipurpose studio.
After years of pursuing photography, DIY projects and music, we grew weary of rental spaces either too small, too expensive or too beige. So we found the perfect venue and built The Loft.
With a growing community of creatives and organisers already on our guestbook, we’re loving seeing people enjoying the space just as much as we hoped they would.
We hope you’ll join us soon.
Our rates
What’s the damage
Shoots
For photographers & creators
Length |
£ Price |
|---|---|
| Hourly | 35 |
| 90 mins | 52 |
| 3 hours | 100 |
| Full day | 225 |
| Full Day & Evening | 350 |
Hire our photography equipment
If you're booking The Loft for photography or videography, we can provide professional lighting and backdrops for £20 extra. See what’s included.
Upgrade to an after-hours pass
Working late? We've got you. Any session finishing after 5pm is yours for just £20 extra.
Events
For organisers, corporate clients, and private parties
Our event pricing depends on how many guests you’re inviting. This keeps things fair for us and flexible for you. Whether it's an intimate album launch, a birthday celebration, or a staff outing, we’ll give you a custom flat rate so you can focus on the hosting.
Please email us for a quote.
Wellness
For small practitioners
Access The Loft with no up-front risk: we offer a profit-share option to early-stage practitioners who don’t want to compromise on location.
Typically, candidates will be in the wellness space, but we're flexible as every idea is unique. If you're interested in a partnership like this, please send us an email.
Creator Pass
Our creator-first membership
Why
There’s no reason to waste time and cash hunting for locations when you can get dedicated access to The Loft AND keep an extra £195 in your pocket every month (vs our hourly rates).
How
It’s a pretty chill membership. Just book, come do your thing, and leave. Feel free to bring a client, shoot your own stuff, or use the space for rehearsals, meetings, or to test ideas.
When
Pick your hours from our online platform (don’t worry, we’ll show you how). Choose anytime you want, as long as it’s off-peak: between 11am-5pm, Mon to Sat. Max three hours per booking,
Your sort of thing?
Get the pass
Creator Pass
£225
12 hours/mo
✔️ Save £195 vs booking hourly
✔️ Bring clients & collaborators
✔️ Book any off-peak hours
Creator Pass Mini
£125
6 hours/mo
✔️ Save £85 vs booking hourly
✔️ Bring clients & collaborators
✔️ Book any off-peak hours
Available kit
So you’re a pro, or so we’ve heard
For those booking The Loft for photo and video work, we can provide equipment and backdrops for just £20, and set it up in the studio ready to use.
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Godox FV 200
Flash and continuous 200W light
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Zhiyun Molus G200
Continuous temperature changing light
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Aperture Lantern 90
3 foot omnidirectional softbox
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C - Stand
Two available
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Bounce Boards & Seamless Paper
BW and colour options
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Zhiyun Dome 50
Silicone Diffusion Dome
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Aperture Light Dome 150
Soft source, 5 foot dome
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Your time slot covers getting set up and packing down. Please plan your time carefully around that so you're not rushing at the end.
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Every booking includes the space in all its glory, plus:
✶ Plenty of natural light.
✶ Surround sound (easy to connect to your phone or laptop).
✶ Ability to bring in one or multiple clients (for content days, for example).
✶ Green room to rest or get ready in.
For an additional charge (see price list above) you get access to the equipment locker. It’s is a solid kit selection for shooters or videographers who want a bit more control without overcomplicating things. It includes lights, domes, backdrop stands with multiple coloured backdrops, and bounce boards. You're welcome to bring your own seamless rolls or fabric too.
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During the day, guests come in through the main entrance of Petticoat Emporium. After 5pm, entry is through the back entrance (loading bay).
The back entrance can't be left open during the evening. So, you'll need to either set an arrival window for your guests — say, 20 minutes — or have someone at the entrance throughout the evening if guests are going to arrive at different times. Alternatively, you can ask guests to call you when they arrive.
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Penny Lane Cafe is right downstairs, serving coffee, sandwiches, and pastries. Everyday between 10-4.
If you're planning an event and want catering sorted, Penny Lane can arrange it—just get in touch and we'll give you a quote.
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The space can host 150 people standing and 80 seated.
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No. We like to think of The Loft as an analogue space, so there’s no WiFi for hirers or guests.
However, phone reception is excelled as we’re elevated from street level and in the centre of town.
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We're in a historic building, which unfortunately means no step-free access and no lift. The Loft is on the top floor. There are two flights of stairs from the Petticoat Emporium entrance, or one from the rear.
There are two standard bathrooms downstairs and one disabled bathroom. These are shared with Petticoat Emporium during the day.
If you have any concerns, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
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You can't bring your own, but we can set up a bar run by a member of our team. If your event needs a bar, email us and we'll send you a quote.