Silver Screen Cinema
Overview
The Silver Screen Cinema is an independent twin-screen cinema located inside the historic Town Hall at the heart of Folkestone in Kent. Originally a site of Kent’s first film screenings in 1896 and then a ‘Cinema De Luxe’ until 1912, occasional film shows continued at the Town Hall throughout the early 20th century. After closing in the 1970s, the upper levels finally re-opened as the Silver Screen Cinema in 1990. With a diverse programme of films, we entertain and inspire our community through exciting big screen experiences, and serve as an accessible and inclusive cultural and educational resource for all.
Contact details
1-2 Guildhall Street Folkestone Kent South East CT20 1DY GB
https://folkestonecinema.com/about-us/accessibility/
Access guidance
- Come up the stairs past the queue to our box office. Alternatively, you can use our lift, which exits directly opposite our box office. We will prioritise your admission. Our kiosk sometimes has a queue; if this is a problem, please speak to our team on arrival and we will make arrangements to take your order straight away. If needed, we also can deliver it to where you are sitting.
- The cinema is on the first floor, and is served by a lift from the ground floor. Both auditoriums have step-free access and dedicated wheelchair spaces. Alternatively, if you wish to take the stairs from the cinema entrance, there is a slope up, and then two flights of stairs consisting of 10 and 11 steps up to the foyer. Screen 1 has a balcony which is only accessible by stairs. There are three flights of stairs, consisting of 14, 7, and 8 steps. There are an additional 2 steps between each row of seats on the balcony. Screen 2 has a slope up into the auditorium. The slope has a handrail on the right. We have an accessible toilet which is large enough for wheelchairs.
- After 6pm, you can park directly outside our entrance on Guildhall Street. Between 10am and 3:30pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays, you can also drop off at the end of St Eanswythe Way, enter Folkestone Museum's rear entrance and take the lift from the Museum directly up to the cinema. The Museum's opening times may be subject to change, so please check these before you travel, at www.folkestonemuseum.co.uk. The surrounding streets are pedestrianised until 6pm. The nearest car parks are St Eanswythe way (100 meters) at the rear of the cinema, and Shellons Street/Foresters Way (200 meters) at the end of Guildhall Street. These car parks have two disabled bays each and are free of charge for up to three hours for Blue Badge holders.
- Assistance dogs are welcome at our cinema. If you wish to take your dog into a performance, we recommend booking seats on row J in screen 1 stalls, row G in screen 1 balcony, or row C in screen 2. You can also contact us for advice on the best seats in other areas. Alternatively, our team will be delighted to care for your dog for the duration of the performance. We are happy to provide drinking water for your dog.
- Essential companions get free entry. To book online, select the seat(s) that you would like, but leave one seat empty for your essential companion. Once booked, please reply to your order confirmation email with your Access card number to request a companion seat. We'll do the rest. Alternatively, you can buy tickets from our box office with your Access card, and we'll issue a free ticket to your essential companion.
- Many of the films we show have audio description available. Ask our team for a headset when you arrive.
- Headsets are available in both auditoriums for films with an assistive listening soundtrack provided. Look for the ear-transmitter symbol against the film title, and ask our team for a headset, or for a portable hearing loop for use with hearing aids set to the “T” position. We also have hearing loops at our box office and kiosk. Please switch your hearing aid to the “T” position if it has this setting. Regular descriptive subtitled screenings (open captions) of new films are usually held every week. Look for the subtitles symbol in our film times.
- We hold a relaxed autism-friendly sensory sensitive screening every month, with no adverts, sound reduced and lighting dimmed during the film. Look for the lightbulb symbol in our film times.