New Central Library at Civic Offices

This is what the new Central Library and new Civic reception, in Bridge Street, could look like using £8.6 million from the Levelling Up funding awarded to the council.

The image forms part of the planning application documents which has been approved. You can watch the meeting, or read the minutes, here.

A new Central Library is set to be a modern, fully accessible, and versatile building which is much more than just a repository of books. 

There will be some changes to the landscaping around the civic building with mature trees at the front will remain.

The aim is to create a flexible space for the whole community which embraces not only that traditional library offer, but also looks to the future with a hugely improved digital and learning offer. There will also be an improved children’s and teenage sections.

The plans also include the possibility of the cartwheeling boy sculpture being incorporated into the new build.

The existing library on the King’s Road is well-used but the dated building is set over a series of floors. This makes accessibility difficult, and we cannot improve it without significant investment.

Here are the results of the Civic Library consultation.