Dear Supporter

As you know, the principal objective of the French Hospital (FH) is to provide affordable housing for people in need.  It does this predominately through the provision of 55 La Providence flats, currently home to 65 residents.

The FH holds various investments in order to support its work, including three properties in Rochester, one of which is 95 High Street, the home of the Huguenot Museum (‘Museum’) and, formerly, of Medway Council’s Rochester Visitor Information Centre.

In September 2024, Medway Council negotiated an early surrender of its lease.  Although, since leaving, the Council has hired the ground floor for a few days during the Dickens Festival, the loss of rent and irrecoverable property maintenance costs mean that the FH is now facing a more than £75,000 hole in its annual budget, and it has therefore been active in considering alternative uses for the now vacant elements of 95 High Street.

Looking in from the High Street, supporters may be concerned about an apparent lack of activity, but, rest assured, plans for the future are now taking shape.  While there are some complexities surrounding arrangements with the Museum, which leases part of the 1^st and 2^nd floors, subject to suitable external support being secured by the Museum, we are hoping that over the next two or three months a scheme might be developed for the building as a whole that will meet the aspirations of both the FH and the Museum.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.  It is greatly appreciated and continues to make a significant difference to the lives of our beneficiaries.

Kind regards,

The Trustees and Directors of The French Hospital