The new Folkestone Library and Community Learning Centre will officially open at 14 Sandgate Road on Tuesday 26 May 2026, restoring full library, registration, and adult education services to the town centre for the first time in three years. Kent County Council confirmed the opening, which follows a period of service disruption after the original library at 2 Grace Hill closed in December 2022 due to structural safety concerns caused by water damage.
To prepare for the transition, the temporary library currently operating at the Shepway Youth Hub will close its doors on Saturday 2 May 2026. The new facility on Sandgate Road will feature adult and children’s library sections, including the local history collection, as well as digital facilities with free public Wi-Fi and computers. Residents will also have access to classrooms for adult learning courses and a town-centre location for birth and death registration appointments.
While the opening of the new centre marks a return to permanent services, the future of the historic Grace Hill building remains a point of local contention. A building survey conducted in 2024 estimated that repairs for the Grade II listed structure would cost £2.9 million, and the council reports it currently spends approximately £100,000 per year on maintenance for the empty property.
In response to these costs, Kent County Council is moving forward with plans to sell the Grace Hill building at auction. This decision stands despite public opposition and a formal request from Folkestone Town Council to purchase the freehold for a nominal sum.
The management of the library relocation project has been overseen by the current administration of Kent County Council, which is led by Reform UK following their majority win in the May 2025 local elections.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
