A huge former Debenhams department store could reopen as a medical centre as soon as next year, NHS documents reveal.

Plans for doctors to treat patients in the currently empty building on Folkestone high street are now in the design phase – and are estimated to be completed in 2025 if approved.

The so-called Folca site in Sandgate Road is owned by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) and is at the heart of regeneration plans for the town centre.

More than £2 million is earmarked for the building’s refurbishment – with funding taken from a £20 million pot of “levelling up” cash granted by the government.

An NHS Kent and Medway document titled ‘Infrastructure Interim Strategy’ says: “Folca New Medical Centre is in the design phase where two General Practices in Folkestone are developing an outline business case to be submitted to the ICB [Integrated Care Board] for new premises on the Folca site in Folkestone high street.”

It adds: “If approved, the scheme is estimated to complete in 2025.”

In October last year, London-based architects CarverHaggard were selected by FHDC to revamp the former store.

However, Mark Hourahane of the New Folkestone Society argues alternative sites should be considered for the new medical centre.

“The corner building [of the Debenhams store] is a heritage asset and worth saving, whereas [FHDC] wants to demolish it,” he said.

“The Saga building [in Middelburg Square] is empty as is Queens House [above Bon Marche] as I believe that project fell through.”

He also says another potential site for the medical centre is the long-empty Store Twenty One in Bouverie Place, while conceding “it is one of the town centre's older buildings so has some heritage value”.

While it had previously been understood the Edwardian section of the Debenhams site, on the corner with Bouverie Place, would be demolished, the new NHS document says the government funding “will partly support the refurbishment of the Art Deco section of the Folca building”.

It adds: “The other part of the building proposed is for the medical centre (capital funding via a third party medical centre developer).”

KentOnline has asked FHDC and NHS Kent and Medway for more details.

An FHDC spokesperson said: “Clearly alterations will have to be made for any future use but nothing specific has been proposed to date.

“Rest assured that we will be sharing information once there is confirmed information to share.”

Mr Hourahane also argues the proposed GP services would do “nothing for the town's economy”.

He added: “I do not think it is the right place for a medical centre. There is nowhere to park!

“A medical centre does nothing for a town centre's economy as you don't hobble in to have an X-ray and then think about doing some shopping.”

A survey carried out by the New Folkestone Society last year found significant support for saving the Edwardian portion of Folca from demolition.

In February 2023, FHDC was awarded a £19.8 million share of government levelling-up cash to fund its plan to breathe new life into Folkestone town centre.

The proposals will see the existing bus station in Bouverie Place relocated to make way for a public garden, and Sandgate Road itself will be given a makeover.

Ashford borough councillor Paul Bartlett (Con) told KentOnline he is in full support of the plans in Folkestone and believes such projects are “very important for the regeneration of town centres”.

He added: “One of the big issues we have in Ashford is generating footfall and getting people into the town centre.

“If this is successful I would like to have something similar in Ashford.”

Debenhams - formerly Bobby’s department store - closed in Folkestone in 2020, along with other branches across Kent.