Folkestone Library Can, and Should, Remain at Grace Hill

The KCC consultation on the future of Folkestone's Grace Hill library suggests there is a deal for putting the library into the F&HDC owned Folca building in Sandgate Road.

There is no such deal. There is no agreement to do so with Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

The district will be responding fully to Kent County Council’s consultation, but what we want is for the Grace Hill building to remain as a community hub and to include the facilities offered by the library service.

Discussions continue about how the space in Folca 2, the former Debenham’s store, can best be used to benefit the town centre, residents and businesses. No business case for its future use, even in part, by KCC has been brought forward or any terms agreed.

KCC has, as you would guess, approached the district on if it might be possible to put library services in there. Of course it is. As would be shops, crèches, entertainment, bars, bowling alleys, laser quest, escape rooms, district customer access points and health centres (list not exclusive -:got a business proposition to rent space? Talk to us). But have they made any firm offer, or asked for any specific space, that has in any way been put even informally to Councillors or Cabinet? No.

If the option was totally binary: use Folca or no library, I'd have to have a Folkestone Library. However my massive preference is the retention at Grace Hill, and the retention of Grace Hill as a community building under *any* circumstances.

That option was offered to KCC, for no capital cost, by a community and Creative Folkestone solution they asked for, and have now ignored (seemingly thinking someone will buy the building, that they say is broken beyond repair, for big money).

That KCC have not taken that opportunity seems inSAnE. Call them out. There is a deal available to fix Grace Hill and keep the library there at no capital cost to taxpayers. They should take it. Don't let them take Folkestone for suckers.

And yes, I've got skin in this game. I've worked with KCC for years, part of the negotiation team that secured the future of Sandgate Library by getting the Parish Council and community to take on a key part in delivering it's services. And since doing so, we've turned a nice little library into an excellent one, extended services, extended hours. I know how it works, or can. Let the same happen in Folkestone.