Call to express interest in buying former library
GoogleCommunity groups have just over a month to express an interest in taking over the former Folkestone library building.
The property on Grace Hill closed in 2022 due to safety concerns and has not been used since.
Kent County Council (KCC), which owns the building, is required to give community organisations the first opportunity to buy the property if it is put up for sale as it is a designated "asset of community value".
Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) said it had "a strong preference" that library services were reinstated at the site and had "long supported a community proposal".
Eligible groups have until 18 April to express their interest and a further six months to raise funds for a potential purchase, but the council is not obliged to accept any particular bid.
FHDC made the building a community asset in 2023 and is responsible for coordinating proposals from community groups.
A KCC cabinet committee decided in January to scrap options that involved the local authority maintaining or reopening the Grace Hill library, meaning "disposal of the building to a third party" is likely.
A building survey in 2024 found that repairing the building, which is Grade II listed, would cost the county council £2.9m.
KCC has been contacted for comment.
Library relocation plans
The county council said in 2024 that it planned to permanently vacate the Grace Hill site and create a new library in the Folca building on Sandgate Road, formerly a Debenhams.
Library users have been able to reserve and return books from the Shepway Youth Hub building - located across the road from the former library site - as part of temporary library provision.
The cabinet committee also decided in January to "explore and implement" an alternative Folkestone town centre home for the temporary facility that would allow for more library and registration services until a permanent site opened.
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