Bradford city centre library to move as part of cost-cutting measures
It'll move into the ground floor of Britannia House in early 2026
BRADFORD’S city centre library will move to a new location in the heart of the city’s newly pedestrianised area.
The library will move into the ground floor of Britannia House, between Broadway and Hall Ings, in early 2026, when the current facility in City Park will close.
Bradford Council says the move into a Council owned building is likely to save around £1m, and will make the library more accessible.
There have long been calls to move the library from its current location for years after it emerged the cash strapped authority was paying £420,000 a year to rent space in the City Park building that is also home to Wetherspoons, Starbucks and Nandos.
The large ground floor space in the listed building is currently used by the Council’s customer services – which will move to City Hall to make way for the library.
The space around Britannia House has recently undergone some huge changes – with both Hall Ings and Broadway being pedestrianised with new planting and seating areas.
A Council spokesperson said: “The library will be much more visible through an increased pedestrian level presence with large windows giving great views over City Hall and St George’s Hall, Norfolk Gardens, and creating new pedestrian access via Broadway and Hall Ings.
“These proposed changes are part of an overall review of the Councils City Centre estate and will save around £1m.
“The aim is to prepare the space next year and City Library will be relocated once ready which is expected to be in early 2026.”
The Council says it is also considering options for both the Local Studies and West Yorkshire Archives, but “this is still at an early stage and no decisions have been made on this yet.”
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This move will allow us to create a vibrant library space in the heart of the city centre that I know residents will use and enjoy.
“We are always looking at ways to sustain and improve the services that we offer to residents, and we know they will enjoy using the new City Library whilst at the same time it allows us to make savings now and in the future.”
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This new library will be in the heart of our new pedestrianised city centre space in a great heritage building in Britannia House, with a newly expanded Norfolk Gardens green space right on the doorstep and City Park still nearby.
“With St George’s Hall next door and City Hall opposite it will form a great ‘Civic Quarter’ for the city centre.”