Folkestone Town Council has reached an agreement with Kent County Council to acquire the historic building at 2 Grace Hill, successfully stopping its planned sale at auction. The deal, confirmed at a special meeting on 21 April 2026 and publicly announced on 24 April 2026, aims to preserve the Grade II listed site as a community asset for the long-term future.
The building, which originally served as the town library from 1888, has remained vacant since closing in December 2022 due to significant flood damage and structural issues. A 2024 survey estimated that necessary repairs would cost £2.9 million, a figure that Kent County Council previously deemed financially unjustifiable while facing £100,000 in annual maintenance costs for the empty property. The agreement to acquire the building was reached following partnership working between Folkestone Town Council, Kent County Council, Creative Folkestone, the One Folkestone community partnership, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, and Tony Vaughan MP.
Folkestone’s then-Town Mayor Councillor Lucy McGirr said, “Securing 2 Grace Hill is about protecting a building that means a great deal to Folkestone. While this is only the beginning of a long journey to bring it back into full use, it ensures that this historic building remains a community asset and can be restored for future generations.” Councillor Tim Prater, who helped lead the negotiations, noted that the project will require significant fundraising efforts to complete the necessary restoration work.
In parallel to the acquisition, residents will see the return of library services to the town centre this week. Kent County Council is opening a new library at 14 Sandgate Road on 26 May 2026, marking the first time full library services have been available in the town centre since the original facility closed in 2022.
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