A derelict building once home to a discount fashion retailer should be considered as the site for a new medical centre rather than a former Debenhams, a civic society has argued.

The property in Bouverie Place, Folkestone, was previously occupied by Store Twenty One, but since the shop closed the property has fallen into disrepair despite its prominent town centre location.

Pictures show smashed windows, graffiti and fallen rubble.

It is situated opposite the Folca building, formerly home to department stores Debenhams and Bobby’s, part of which is earmarked for demolition to make way for the new health centre.

The New Folkestone Society (NFS), which is campaigning to save the threatened portion of the Folca site, says it would be better to explore the option of building on the former Store Twenty One plot.

Mark Hourahane, vice-chairman of the NFS, said: “The older corner part of the Folca building is much more visually appealing, despite being almost 50 years younger than the Store Twenty One building.

“The Society would accept the loss of the Store Twenty One building in order to preserve the former Bobby’s store.”

A recent survey by the NFS found a large majority of respondents opposed the demolition of the corner section of the former Debenhams store.

“We recognise the need for a medical centre, but our survey shows that local people are overwhelmingly against the demolition of the Folca building,” Mr Hourahane said.

“There are several alternative locations to consider that would be better suited to the requirements of a medical centre, without damaging the town’s heritage.”

The idea of looking at Store Twenty One as a site for the medical centre has been raised at the behind-closed-doors Folkestone Town Centre Working Group when it met in September.

But Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which owns Folca and is behind the medical centre plan, says there is no formal consideration for an alternative site.

An FHDC spokesman said: “Recognising the prominent position of Store Twenty One, the council has engaged with the owners to stress the need for the building to be maintained to an appropriate standard and ensure that it is safe and secure.

“The council does not own the property and it has not been considered as an alternative option for the new medical centre.”

Labour councillor Laura Davison, whose Central ward includes Bouverie Place, says she is lobbying for the former Store Twenty One building to be brought back into use.

She said: “I’ve been raising it as an issue because I’ve been dealing with the concerns of residents around people accessing the building via flat roofs at the back, and there was a fire there not long ago.

“It is in a prime location, it’s right next to Folca, so it’s obviously a place we would like to see brought back into constructive use in the town and making a positive contribution.”

Attempts were made to contact the owners of the building.