Folkestone Town Council has reached an agreement to buy the historic building at 2 Grace Hill, securing the site for future community use and stopping it from being sold at public auction.
The deal, which is subject to contract, was confirmed by town councillors during a special meeting on 21 April 2026. The announcement follows a long-running campaign by local residents to save the landmark, which first opened in 1888 as the original town library and is the oldest surviving purpose-built library in Kent.
The building has remained closed since December 2022 after severe water leaks rendered the site unsafe for staff and visitors. Kent County Council had previously planned to auction the site this summer, citing the costs of keeping the empty, Grade II listed property secure and the significant investment required for structural repairs.
The successful purchase was the result of collaborative efforts between Folkestone Town Council, Kent County Council, Creative Folkestone, the One Folkestone community partnership, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, and local MP Tony Vaughan. Councillor Tim Prater, who led the town council’s negotiating team, played a central role in moving the motions to secure the property.
While the acquisition marks a major step forward, officials note that the building will require extensive restoration. Furthermore, residents should be aware that the library services themselves will not return to this location before 2031. Full library services are set to return to the town centre on 26 May 2026, when a new facility opens at 14 Sandgate Road.
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