Croydon Council to permanently close four libraries
Less than 10% of Croydon residents use their local libraries, according to the council
Four libraries in Croydon will close for good next month as the Council says it will allow them to increase the opening hours of its most visited libraries, according to a paper published on its website and reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The council first proposed the closure of the Bradmore Green (Coulsdon), Sanderstead, Broad Green and Shirley libraries back in January of this year.
Following a public consultation and impact assessment, Croydon confirmed these libraries will close on October 25, 2024.
The council says the decision has been based on footfall, the impact on the area the libraries serve, and the libraries' abilities to provide a wide range of services outside their primary purpose.
While many locals objected to the closure of what they saw as a vital community asset, the four libraries were deemed near enough to other services that people could use in their absence.
According to the council, less than 10% of Croydon residents use their local libraries, and these four libraries saw some of the lowest footfall in recent years.
Nine libraries will see opening hours increase, following years of opening to the public between two to four days a week.
Croydon Council has also said it will attempt to reach more non-library users, in an effort to address the impact of the closures.
However, many in the borough believe the decision to close the libraries was a forgone conclusion that will deprive the borough of more important community assets.
A spokesperson from Croydon Labour said: “The Mayor’s decision to close these libraries shows once again that he doesn’t listen to local residents on the issues that matter most to people.
“Closing libraries is not the answer to the council’s financial problems. The amount of money that would be saved by closing these libraries is a drop in the ocean compared with the council’s debt”.
It is expected that, following further discussions with the affected communities, Croydon will sell off the buildings in an attempt to service its large debt burden.
The council continues to face serious financial challenges and the authority carries a £1.4bn debt burden, due to what the council calls ‘a legacy of past mismanagement’.
In a response published with the decision, Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “We know how loved and valued our Croydon library service is – and that is why we have to do something to improve it.
“The decision to close library buildings is a very difficult one and I know people who are losing their local library will be sad to see it go. I am committed to supporting community and voluntary organisations with an interest in taking on a building to keep these well-loved buildings in community use and encourage anyone interested to join the upcoming workshops.
The proposals in the report will go to a decision at a Cabinet meeting later this month, where they are expected to be approved.
If the proposals are approved, the council will start to work with the libraries impacted.