Nottingham City Council is fully committed to investing in new Central Library facilities to create a 21st century facility the city deserves.

Some councils facing budget cuts have carried out large reductions in library provision to make savings – but in recent years Nottingham City Council has invested in modern neighbourhood libraries. Central Library will be no exception.

Click here for a fact sheet outlining the proposals

The current library is not fit for purpose. The needs of library users are changing but this site is tired and not very adaptable to those changing needs. Modern central libraries should be a destination which attracts large numbers of people not only to borrow free books, but to access a wide range of services including learning, business intelligence, job clubs, literacy development and access to PCs and wi-fi, research archives, get help using new technology and so much more.

The council has approved in principal the disposal of the Angel Row library site to developers Henry Boot Developments Ltd which would provide funding for the council to reinvest in a new and updated library facility. It also paves the way for an increase in Grade A office space to be created, meeting the demand for top quality office space in the city centre.

The council’s focus is on providing upgraded Central Library facilities on the existing site, but there are other options being explored to see if better value and a better outcome can be achieved.

City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: “We are fully committed to not just keeping the Central Library open, but to investing in it so it remains open, relevant and popular for many years to come.

“The in-principle agreement to sell the Angel Row site to developers will allow us to invest in a new and updated library facility which otherwise we couldn’t do. By bringing inward investment to the city, Nottingham gets a new library, new grade A office space and new jobs.

“This is a good deal for Nottingham and delivers a new Central Library at virtually no cost to local taxpayers, and without this deal there would be no new library. It builds on our track record in recent years of investing in modern neighbourhood libraries in contrast to some councils facing budget cuts which have closed libraries to make savings.

“Proposals are at a very early stage but we will of course consult with people in due course when our proposals are more refined.”

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