PROPOSALS to relocate Redditch Library are set to be approved for public consultation by Worcestershire County Council next week.

Huge plans to move Redditch Library into the Town Hall, creating a community hub were approved by Redditch Brough Council on October 11.

However, proposals to relocate the library are subject to the county council’s required consultation process.

The Town Hall will be used as a community hub regardless of the outcome of the consultation process.

Under the proposals, the current library will be demolished and a new public plaza along with a mixed-use building with food and beverage units and co-working spaces will be developed.

The work on the existing library site will be fully funded by a portion of the £15.6 million Towns Funds Grant which was secured by the council in 2021.

The Town Hall will be funded by releasing council assets.

Worcestershire County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board are set to discuss the library relocation on Tuesday, October 25 before the proposals go to the council’s cabinet next Thursday,

Cabinet members have been recommended to approve the commencement of formal public consultation on the plans for relocation.

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for communities said: “We know how popular Redditch Library is to its local customers, and what a large catchment area it serves.

“We are keen to ensure our service levels remain the same and accessible to all, while we look into the possible relocation of the library.

“We want to know what our residents in Redditch think about their local library, and should the consultation be approved, I’d really encourage as many people as possible to have their say.

“Worcestershire County Council and Redditch Borough Council are keen to ensure that Redditch Library continues to provide an important service to residents and community groups within the town, and therefore have specified that if the library is to be relocated; library floor space will remain equal to, or similar to, the current library space, and will be arranged in a prominent and visible location.

“There will be no reduction in library services and the library service will remain accessible to all.”

If the consultation is given the green light by Cabinet, it will focus on the rationale for the change, the impact on existing services and service users, along with the proposed implementation plans.  

The consultation would commence on November 7 and run for just over 90 days until  February 24, 2023 (considering the Christmas and New Year holidays). 

The methodology used will follow a mixture of online surveys and face-to-face sessions. 3- dimensional modelling and extensive design visuals will be available to support public consultation

Redditch Library is one of 21 libraries in Worcestershire, serving the second largest catchment population behind The Hive and is the second busiest library in terms of customer activity.

Worcestershire County Council has operated from the current building for more than 50 years with the Jobcentre Plus moving there in April 2018.