A historic Kent landmark is set to finally reopen in 2025 – eight years after its closure.
The team behind the iconic Leas Lift in Folkestone has secured £4.8m of support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, meaning the overall fundraising target of £6.6m has been reached.
As such, the Grade II-listed site will be brought back into public use following a programme of extensive repairs and renovations.
As well as fixing the lift and improving the waiting room, the plan is to create a new building to house a modern cafe with an outdoor terrace.
An exhibition detailing the 100-plus-year history of the rare lift will also be installed.
And now the funding has been secured, it means the proposals can become reality.
Cathy Beare, chair of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, said: “This is a huge win for us.
“We are thrilled to have secured support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which unlocks further funding and allows us to work towards re-opening in 2025.
“As a team, we have come a long way and I am very proud to chair a dedicated and passionate board of volunteer trustees that have brought the concept of operating Folkestone’s rare heritage water balance lift closer to reality.”
The funicular railway was built in 1885 and is one of only eight water balance lifts in the country, of which only three operate using their original system.
It was closed in 2017, following an issue with its braking system.
Since closing, it has further degraded and in 2019 was placed on the heritage at-risk register by Historic England.
The campaign to save the nationally significant heritage asset, which is much loved by the local community, began six years ago when volunteers came together to ensure its future.
In April a planning application – the first to be made for the project – was submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council and has since been approved.
An excerpt from the application describes the aim of the project as to “create a regional destination” that will “reconnect Folkestone’s town centre to its seafront”.
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says they are “delighted to support the restoration”.
They added: “We are delighted to support the restoration of this rare surviving water lift, returning this beautiful and remarkable example of Victorian engineering to its original use connecting seafront and town and creating an anchor and sense of place and connection for the local Folkestone community and visitors.
“This community-led scheme absolutely delivers our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”
The lift has carried more than 36.4 million people since it opened in 1885.
An external ramp will be incorporated to ensure the cafe – as well as the historic building – can be accessed by all members of the community.
An accessible toilet will also be provided.
James Walker-Osborn of the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity believes the restoration of the lift “will have a positive impact on the community”.
“We are incredibly humbled by the support of the community and businesses that have believed in us and supported us since 2017 when we first came together with a crazy idea that we could take this on,” he said.
“The local support, as well as this huge boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other key funders, takes us one giant step forward in the history of the Leas Lift.
“Once opened, we know it will have a positive impact on the community.”