Library to move and save £420,000 in rent

Bradford's flagship library will move to a new location in the heart of the city's newly pedestrianised area.

The central library will relocate to the ground floor of Britannia House, between Broadway and Hall Ings, in early 2026, when the current facility in City Park will close.

Bradford Council said the move to a council-owned building would save around £1m and make the library more accessible.

The authority pays around £420,000 in annual rent for the unit in the City Park building that is also home to Wetherspoons, Starbucks and Nando's.

The large ground floor space in the listed Britannia House building is currently used by the council's customer services team, which will move to City Hall, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The space around the site has recently been pedestrianised and new planting and seating areas provided.

Britannia House was built as council offices in 1932.

A council spokesperson said: "The library will be much more visible through an increased pedestrian-level presence, with large windows giving great views over City Hall and St George's Hall, Norfolk Gardens, and creating new pedestrian access via Broadway and Hall Ings.

"These proposed changes are part of an overall review of the council's city centre estate and will save around £1m.

"The aim is to prepare the space next year and City Library will be relocated once ready, which is expected to be in early 2026."

The council said it was considering options for the future of both the Local Studies section and West Yorkshire Archives, but "this is still at an early stage and no decisions have been made on this yet".

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "This move will allow us to create a vibrant library space in the heart of the city centre that I know residents will use and enjoy.

"We are always looking at ways to sustain and improve the services that we offer to residents, and we know they will enjoy using the new City Library whilst at the same time it allows us to make savings now and in the future."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "This new library will be in the heart of our new pedestrianised city centre space in a great heritage building in Britannia House, with a newly expanded Norfolk Gardens green space right on the doorstep and City Park still nearby.

"With St George's Hall next door and City Hall opposite it will form a great 'Civic Quarter' for the city centre."

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