Proposals to relocate Redditch Library to be discussed at Cabinet

There are proposals for relocating Redditch Library as part of the Town Plan Deal led by Redditch Borough Council.

Redditch Borough Council has released its Executive Committee Report paper, which sets out how the Town Hall could be repurposed as a Community Hub and become the new home of Redditch Library.

Thanks to a Towns Fund Grant secured by Redditch Borough 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.

Cabinet will discuss the proposals and make a decision on whether to progress to a public consultation.

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 7 November and run for just over 90 days until 24 February 2023 (considering the Christmas and New Year holidays).  

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.”

Redditch Library is one of 21 Libraries in Worcestershire, it serves the second largest catchment population (86,819) behind The Hive (105,312) and is the second busiest library in terms of customer activity.  

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

To view the cabinet report or watch the meeting live, please visit the Worcestershire County Council website for the Agenda for Cabinet on Thursday, 27 October 2022, 10am.