Library moving to town's outskirts despite outcry

A town’s library will be moved from the town centre to its outskirts, despite more than 90% of people saying they oppose the plans.

Ceredigion council said the relocation of Aberaeron library to the council’s offices - 650m (2,130 ft) away in Penmorfa - will help save £70,000.

It said the move would "modernise library provision" with the aim of increasing use, opening hours and improving facilities.

However, the majority of people who responded to a consultation think the move will not lead to efficiencies nor encourage more people to use the library.

A Welsh government grant of £268,000 will fund the new library in the council’s headquarters.

According to the report presented to the cabinet, it was "not possible to run a financially viable library service from such a large building” - the old County Hall where the library is currently located.

It said that, in 2023-24, the rates and a large electricity bill contributed to "significant costs" totalling almost £45,000.

When the library moves, the County Hall building – which is in a prime location in the town – will be “suitable for sympathetic redevelopment”, according to the council.

The council has claimed that this could lead to commercial accommodation, helping increase footfall and employment opportunities.

However, businesses in Aberaeron have said they are concerned that moving the library could reduce footfall in the town.

Aberaeron is one of four main libraries in Ceredigion. The others are in Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Lampeter.

The council said that the use of the Aberaeron branch is "low", accounting for approximately 10% of active library users in the county.

There were 896 responses to the consultation, which ended in July, with the council saying 45% were not current library users.

Of the 896, 91% said they did not support relocating the library, and 88% saying they felt it would not encourage additional library users.

Aberaeron councillor Elizabeth Evans told the cabinet meeting that people had spoken in one voice during the consultation and appealed for the cabinet to "make the right decision for the people".

She said the council could "really do something special" by redeveloping County Hall without moving the library,

Ms Evans also said the impact assessment on the relocation was "not fit for purpose".

She read a section that said the change would have no or negligible impact on older and disabled people, despite the library moving.

"How can that be a true reflection of people’s everyday life of having to come (to Penmorfa)? I’m speechless. It is so offensive," she said.

Another councillor, Gareth Lloyd, asked: "If you aren’t going to take notice of consultations, people will ask what’s the point of them.

"They think democracy is being killed."

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and scrutiny services Catrin MS Davies said she had taken account of the consultation and had referred to the high levels on opposition to the proposal in her opening comments.

She also said that the use of the existing library in Aberaeron was relatively low compared to the three other libraries in Ceredigion.

She added that the relocation to Penmorfa would offer better parking and the library would be open for 5 hours a week longer than it is now.

The cabinet approved the recommendation to relocate the library by a majority decision with seven members in favour and one abstention.