The Kent County Council is likely to rule out reopening Folkestone Library at its original location, sparking community concerns and discussions.
Folkestone: The future of the Folkestone Library is heating up again at the Kent County Council. They’re looking to rule out the option of reopening it in its current location.
The council claims that fixing up the Grace Hill building isn’t financially sensible. They’ve also mentioned some serious financial pressures. A recent public consultation on the library’s future is on the agenda.
Many folks want the library back in the beautiful Grade II-listed Grace Hill building. Meanwhile, the council is eyeing the old Debenhams site, known as FOLCA, for a new home.
The library closed in December 2022 due to safety concerns after some water damage. The council said they couldn’t fund repairs, which led to a big Save Folkestone Library campaign, complete with protests and a petition with over 3,600 signatures.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which doesn’t support closing the library where it is, even listed the Grace Hill building as an asset of community value last July. A public consultation wrapped up in September, gathering around 600 responses.
The council’s latest estimate to fix the Grace Hill building is a whopping £2.9 million. They’ve been saying for a while now that there’s no cash for that kind of work.
At a meeting on January 22, councillors will go over the consultation results. About 55% of people want the library to stay at Grace Hill, while 38% are okay with moving.
As for the county council’s plan to shift the library to FOLCA, 51% of respondents disagreed, and 43% were in favor.
There have been multiple demonstrations to save the Folkestone Library. The committee is set to approve ten recommendations, including dropping options that involve the council repairing the Grace Hill building.
They’re looking to hand off the building to someone else and keep the community value listing process moving along.
Creative Folkestone, an arts charity, might step in to take care of the Grace Hill building, possibly at a low rent. They could even fundraise to fix it up, keeping the library on the ground floor while using other parts for community activities and art.
The council has been facing some serious financial challenges. Over the last 13 years, they’ve had to save nearly £1 billion. Last year, they ended with a £44.4 million overspend, which is a big deal.
Save Folkestone Library argues that the library is one of the last free, warm, communal spaces in town, saying it was “gifted to the people of Folkestone.” They’re still hoping for a meaningful discussion with the council about options.