Plans To Move Library To Bigger Space Will Be Discussed

Plans to consult on moving the library into a bigger space at the Town Hall could move a step closer next week as leading councillors consider a business case which will see the future regeneration of Redditch.

At the meeting of Redditch Borough Council’s Executive Committee, on Tuesday October 11, members are asked to endorse the Draft Redditch Town Investment Plan Business Case. This includes a proposal to move the library to the Town Hall which will be transformed into a Community Hub.

Plans see the library situated on the ground and first floors offering even more space than the current facility has, with the Council Chamber and Civic suite being moved to the second floor of the building to make way for these much-valued services.

Thanks to a Town Funds Grant secured by the Council, under the proposals, the site where the library is currently situated will boast a new public plaza and events space with associated commercial development including bars and restaurants, helping drive footfall from the Kingfisher Centre and improving connectivity with the historic town centre.

Borough Leader Matt Dormer is keen to emphasise that the new library plans will be funded by releasing Council assets, and the subsequent work on the existing Library site will be fully funded by a Government Grant.

He said: “Since the pandemic which resulted in lots of our staff still successfully working agilely, we have been looking to ways to utilise the Town Hall, not only in a commercial way, but to best suit our residents’ needs.

“It is important that the library remains accessible to our residents and, utilising an even bigger space, still offers all the services which are well-used by customers and this has been at the top of our agenda during negotiations with Worcestershire County Council around this project.

“Putting the library on the ground and first floors achieves this and secures its future in Redditch. As we move our own offices to other floors within our building, it releases the space on the ground and first floors for much needed public services to co locate with our own services making the Town Hall a vibrant and multi-functional ‘hub space'.

“I am also excited that the County Council is considering consulting on the relocation of the library. “If they agree to consult, that will be the time for our residents to finally see how this is a part of our bigger regeneration programme and is pivotal to enable the next stages of our plans to revitalise, rejuvenate and regenerate Redditch into a Creative Smart Town by making it a more attractive place to live, work and visit. It can only make the Borough even better for everybody.”

If the plans are endorsed at next week’s Executive, the proposal to relocate the library will be taken to Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet meeting on October 27 where the decision on whether to progress with a public consultation will also be reviewed.