Cuts may force libraries away from town centres

Two libraries may be moved away from town centres as part of wider plans to save millions of pounds.

Ceredigion council is considering relocating Aberaeron and Lampeter libraries, which it said would save £70,000 out of a total budget reduction target of £5.8m.

But many people oppose the idea, with some saying the move would lead to reduced use of the service and also cut footfall in the town centres.

The council said "innovative and cost-effective solutions" were needed to help protect valuable public services.

The council is consulting on a proposal to move Aberaeron library from its current home near the harbour and shops to Penmorfa, the council’s headquarters, about 0.5 mile (800m) away up a hill.

Aled Davies, Aberaeron’s mayor and an independent councillor, said the idea made "no sense".

Mr Davies said it would mean less footfall in the town centre which would damage businesses, and fewer people would visit the library.

"We have quite an old population in Aberaeron and the surrounding area and I think they'll find it difficult to get up there. Public transport isn't what it could be to get up there either."

Lena Jenkins, 66, of Aberaeron, said "the whole community is really annoyed by the suggestion".

She said the present library was ideal in its central location "and not one person that we've spoken to since the announcement has been made has said that it's a good idea to take it out of town".

She urged the council "to think again and to try and save the £70,000 elsewhere".

"This library needs to say in the centre of town."

It is one of 70 proposals drawn up by the council to reduce its budget.

According to its estimates, "co-locating" the libraries with other council services and reducing their opening hours could save £70,000.

In Lampeter, the proposal is to move the library from Market Street in the middle of town to a welfare centre on the outskirts. A petition opposing the idea attracted 175 signatures.

Some business owners in the middle of Lampeter are also concerned, including Gabrielle Davies, who is a florist, and is also the current mayor.

She said the existing library was purpose-built in the 1990s.

"People come in from far and wide to use it. They come in to the shops, they'll go to the supermarket.

"I don't see the people coming in to the town as much if they have to drive out to the proposed location."

The council said it has had to "consider a wide range of efficiencies in order to achieve a balanced budget following the receipt of a smaller than expected revenue support grant".

It said it aimed to "both rationalise its estate and, where appropriate, to use vacant space to create opportunities for local businesses," and "innovative and cost-effective solutions are essential" in "an extremely challenging financial climate".