A survey has found significant support for saving an Edwardian former department store building from demolition.

Previously home to the Folkestone branch of Debenhams, the three-storey property on the corner of Sandgate Road and Bouverie Place is set to be torn down to make way for a new £16 million health centre.

The New Folkestone Society has launched a consultation on the plans for the council-owned building, now branded Folca, and so far hundreds of people have responded.

Mark Hourahane, vice-chairman of the NFS, said: "The survey is asking for people's opinions on whether they feel that the building should be retained, whether they can think of any better places [for the health centre] or better uses for the building.

"About 85% of people are saying, no, they don't want it demolished, that's the overwhelming thing, and we've had nearly a thousand people respond

"We did do a listing attempt back in 2020. Historic England were only looking at the art deco part of the building, curiously.

"Historic England have said that they will reappraise their listing criteria for department stores. So it's possible that this one might be special enough for national listing, but if not it's special enough what we call the local list, which is like being listed, but just locally."

Those wishing to complete the survey have until September 22 to do so at newfolkestonesociety.org.uk/folca.

In September 2021 Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) agreed to lease the land on which the building stands, which makes up around one third of the whole site, to allow for the creation of what health chiefs have called a "state-of-the-art" medical centre.

If approved, the proposal would see the relocation of the town's existing Manor Road and Guildhall Street GP practices, providing services for all 19,000 of their patients.

There would also be space to accommodate additional numbers in the future.

The plans would see the corner building demolished, but the art deco portion of the former Debenhams on Sandgate Road would be retained.

Since FHDC bought the former department store in 2020, the local authority has made the delivery of a new health centre on the site its priority.

The council argues that the potential for new employment opportunities and increased footfall will benefit the long-term future of Folkestone town centre.