Support for a proposal to restore Folkestone’s Central Library in Grace Hill as a community building has been voiced by the district council.
It was announced this week that Creative Folkestone and community partners have joined forces in a bid to bring the historic building back to life.
First opened in 1888, the building was closed in 2022 by Kent County Council (KCC) and is now in need of extensive repairs.
It is proposed that Creative Folkestone and local groups work with KCC to secure central government funding. This would support the repair of the building and creation of a multi-use space as a library alongside new areas for education, creative industries and community events.
Cllr Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration said: “Creative Folkestone and Sunflower House have together come up with an imaginative bid that would give Grace Hill library an exciting new future.
“We have supported this proposal from the start and I am thrilled to have seen it take shape. Creativity and community are the lifeblood of Folkestone and what could be better than combining them with learning in the shape of a newly restored library?
“I sincerely hope Kent County Council accepts the bid so that we can see Grace Hill open its doors again after so long.”
The building was placed on the open market by KCC in August.