The problem is that all major repairs and improvements are the responsibility of the owners The Folkestone Estate and not the Leas Lift Community Interest Company.
I believe that the Folkestone Estate is a company set up to manage the estates owned by the Earl of Radnow (who hangs out at Longford Castle in Wiltshire with his exceptional collection of Old Master paintings) so that the family can keep their wealth and avoid such nasty things as death duties, and which has, as I was told 'even more money than Dover Harbour Board'.
The Estate could pay for and get the lift fixed tomorrow.
(Interesting fact - the last Earl, Jake Radnor forced to open Longford to the public for one day a year, would absent himself until the visitors had gone.
And you though[U] I [/U]went out of my way to avoid common people!
)