Work has begun to transform a historic gem in the heart of Folkestone into a community cafe.

The Radnor Park Lodge, which has stood empty and abandoned for around 15 years, is set to be brought back into life when it reopens next year.

Work to strip out the old gatehouse to Radnor Park at the junction with Radnor Park Road and Cheriton Road started on Monday and is expected to last around two weeks.

It will pave the way for the major restoration project being coordinated between Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds (FPPG) Charity – which manages parkland in Folkestone – and East Kent College.

Students from the college will be taking an important role in the refurbishment with students on the construction course making the new windows, doors, staircases and decorating inside.

"It is very important for the college to be able to provide work experience in a realistic setting and the fact that this is a community project makes it all the more worthwhile." Paul Sayers, East Kent College

Catering students will take the lead in managing the community cafe when it opens, due to happen in the spring, next year.

A contractor to carry out key structural work to the building is to be appointed by Shepway District Council, acting on behalf of the FPPG charity.

A historic finial ornament, which was rotting away and leaning precariously on top of the roof of the building, is being fully restored and refitted as part of the work.

Resident Robert Mouland had campaigned for the ornament to be taken down as he feared it could come crashing down and cause injury if it was left.

The finial was removed in February and put into storage.

But a Shepway council spokesman, confirming students from East Kent College were carrying out the restoration, said that it “will be included in the final refurbished building”.

Leader of Shepway council, Cllr David Monk, said: “Through our partnership with the college we are using the renovation of this unique building for educational opportunities, while at the same time preserving and transforming this valuable asset for use by the community.

“I look forward to the enjoying a cup of tea in the new cafe.”

The park was donated to the people of Folkestone by Lord Radnor in 1886, and the mock-Tudor building was built a year later at a cost of £495.

Paul Sayers, executive director strategic partnerships at East Kent College, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Shepway District Council to bring Radnor Park Lodge back into use.

“It is very important for the college to be able to provide work experience in a realistic setting and the fact that this is a community project makes it all the more worthwhile.

“Students working on real-life projects can see a purpose to their work, a reason to develop their skills and they gain a true sense of achievement.

"As well as crafting doors and windows, students will decorate the interior of the lodge.

“Once the cafe is up and running, our 16 to 24-year-old students with learning difficulties and disabilities engaged in supported internships will work in the cafe, allowing them to gain experience and hopefully progress into supported employment opportunities.”