Five former libraries to be taken over

The future of five former library buildings has now been decided following interest from local organisations.

The changes follow a lengthy review of the council’s library service which resulted in the retention of four main libraries and the closure of ten other library facilities. Of these, four were given up as they were leased or retained for other council services, and the six remaining libraries were declared surplus and made available for Community Asset Transfer.

The council invited expressions of interest and then invited applicants to draw up a full business case.

Three of the buildings will be leased, as follows:

• Dumers Lane Library - to the Friends of Dumers Lane Community Centre
• Topping Fold Library - to Topping Fold Tenants and Residents Association
• Tottington Library - to the Friends of Tottington Library

In addition:

• The Coronation Road building will be used by the council’s Neighbourhood Working Team, enabling it to support local residents and their families in improving their quality of life. This will be through a range of co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary interventions.

• Unsworth will be used by Elms Bank School, which will create a community hub to provide a wide range of services for all ages and abilities, and re-engage young teenagers in the learning process.

The council is pro-actively seeking a new use for the former Whitefield Library.

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “In advance of the scheduled next cabinet meeting, I have taken an urgent decision to announce the allocation of our former library buildings to local organisations. There are a number of issues still to work through with them, but hopefully this will go smoothly and I wish these groups success in their endeavours to keep these facilities open and used by the community.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 24 January 2018.