Protest over new chapter for libraries

Campaigners have called on a council to commit to fully restoring services at Grimsby Central Library.

Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society will stage a protest later after raising concerns about the future of the building, which is in need of substantial refurbishment.

North East Lincolnshire Council has announced the second phase of a consultation that could lead to some libraries being merged with other services.

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, the portfolio holder for culture and heritage, said there were no plans to sell or demolish the central library.

Under the consultation, residents are being asked to give their views on a plan to create a "Grimsby town centre hub", which would include a library, public archives, and adult skills and learning services "all in one place".

Other proposals include merging Cleethorpes library and leisure centre, while Waltham would move to a "community library" model.

It comes after a reported 43% decline in the number of people visiting the area's libraries between 2018 and 2024.

Campaigners who want to maintain the services are due to protest ahead of a full council meeting later.

Angela Greenwood, from the civic society, suggested footfall was down because the central library had not been in full use for "a long time" and had "very short" opening times.

"Our argument is that if they open longer, if they restored the library, if they put on events, exhibitions, made meeting rooms available, increased the IT facilities... the library could, and should, become a very, very valuable part of the community," she said.

The council was awarded £4.2m in 2021 to refurbish the central library, including a potential Green Skills Hub.

However, last month it said some of this money needed to be "reallocated" for a leisure project at Freshney Place shopping centre – with a decision due to be made at the council meeting.

Ms Greenwood said she understood budgets were tight, but added: "As far as we know there is a £2m backlog of repairs. So where is the money going to come from to restore this building?"

She said she feared the library could be moved to another site, such as the former House of Fraser building within Freshney Place.

Dawkins insisted concerns that the central library could close were unfounded.

"It is here, it is staying with us. We're not selling it, we're not demolishing it," he said.

When asked what might happen to the building if services were moved out, he added: "Ultimately, it needs a lot of money spending on it and it needs to be refurbished, which is a long project."

Phase two of the public consultation will take place in the new year, with an online survey and face-to-face meetings.

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