Folkestone Library

Update 22 October

This consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us their views. To allow time for further consideration, we now expect this matter to be considered at the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee in the New Year.

Original consultation text

Welcome to our consultation on Folkestone Library.

Folkestone Library at 2 Grace Hill temporarily closed in December 2022 because it became unsafe for customers and staff. Since then, we have been investigating the extent and cost of the works needed to bring the building back into use, exploring ways to fund the works, looking at other locations in Folkestone town centre where the library could be located, and considering the future of the Grace Hill building.

We recognise the strength and depth of local feeling regarding this building and the importance of Folkestone’s town centre library and registration service.

While options are still at a formative stage they have developed to the point that we now want to share them with you and listen to your views before progressing any further.

What are we proposing?

We are committed to securing a permanent town centre location for the library and registration service. We have explored the options available to us, including repairing and moving back into the Grace Hill building. Having carefully considered the options at this stage we are proposing to:

• Permanently leave the Grace Hill building and find an alternative town centre location for the Folkestone town centre library and registration service.
• Take forward work with Folkestone & Hythe District Council on moving the service to FOLCA on the high street.

Subject to consultation feedback, we consider that this currently represents the best long-term option for Folkestone’s town centre library.

The Consultation Document, which is available from the Documents section on this webpage, provides information on:

• Folkestone’s town centre library and registration service and the Grace Hill building.
• KCC’s financial context.
• Our proposals and why these are our preferred approach.
• The other options we have explored.

You can also check out the Frequently Asked Questions on this webpage which are being updated throughout the consultation.

Have your say!

We want to know what you think about our proposals, how they could impact you and any alternative suggestions that we have not considered that you think we should.

You can tell us your views by completing the online questionnaire, which is available from this webpage. If you cannot complete the online questionnaire a Word version is available to download from this webpage, which you can complete and return either by email or post.

If you have questions about the proposals or need any support to take part in the consultation, you can contact us via the contact details under the 'Who's listening' section on this webpage. The email and telephone number are monitored 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Consultation events

You can also come along to one of our drop-in events, where you can talk to us about the proposals and ask your questions. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch and let us know in advance.

Next steps

Following the end of the consultation, responses will be evaluated by an independent company. We will publish their report on this webpage.

The report is expected to be presented at the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee in late Autumn and will be carefully considered before any decisions are taken. Details of any decisions will be published on this webpage.