The move marks a significant milestone in KCC’s commitment to restoring full library services in Folkestone town centre following the temporary closure of the former building at 2 Grace Hill in December 2022 due to its deteriorating condition. The new site in 14 Sandgate Road is better as a temporary solution, enabling residents in the town centre to once again enjoy everything the library has to offer, including the full library stock, popular activities like Baby Rhyme Time, and access to the archive and local studies collection. It will also see a town centre registration service provision where people can register births and deaths.
Over the summer, the Adult Education Centre moved out of its previous home at The Cube and Cube Ceramics in Tontine Street. Courses are expected to resume in the new hub in Spring 2026 enabling learners to continue their studies in a more central and accessible location. While the library will be temporary, the new adult education hub will be permanently based at 14 Sandgate Road and will offer a wide range of courses, with a focus on helping people build skills for work and employment.
A planning application has been submitted for change of use of 14 Sandgate Road. If approved, and following works to make the unit ready for use, the site will see the library relocate from its current temporary location in the Shepway Youth Centre in Grace Hill, also in Spring 2026, followed by the adult education centre. In the interim, adult education classes will take place in various community settings around the town, including Wood Avenue library and the F51 skate park.
“I am delighted to be able to share details of the building we have been able to secure.”
Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “Since taking up my Cabinet role, it has been a priority to bring back full library services to Folkestone town centre, and I’m pleased that we are now a further step towards doing so and I am delighted to be able to share details of the building we have been able to secure.
“This new site at 14 Sandgate Road is a better temporary solution: it’s central, accessible, and gets everything back up and running for local people until the long-term location for Folkestone library can be confirmed and made ready.”
“We’re making sure learners in Folkestone continue to receive high quality adult education courses.”
Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added: “We’re making sure learners in Folkestone continue to receive high quality adult education courses.
“This move has been a necessary response to shifting government priorities for adult skills funding, but it has also given us the chance to modernise our service. We can focus on helping residents build the skills they need to get into work and improve their lives from the convenience of a building in a central and accessible location in the heart of the town centre.”
KCC is continuing to explore all permanent options for the future of the library, including:
- Inviting proposals from community and other organisations in relation to 2 Grace Hill, with the possibility of KCC renting back space for library services
- Continuing to explore any other town centre locations that may be possible.
KCC is looking at all these options to make sure Folkestone has a library that’s easy to access and meets local needs for years to come.
The deadline for all proposals is 31 October 2025, after which time a decision will be taken.
Updates on the move and future plans will be shared via the Folkestone Library webpage, Kent Adult Education website, social media channels, and local media. Residents who took part in the public consultation and signed up for updates will also receive direct communications.
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