Southborough Library will temporarily close for refurbishment from Wednesday 20 March 2024 as part of Bromley Council’s library repair programme.
The council is undertaking an extensive repair programme across nine of the borough’s libraries, investing over £10m over the course of two years. The programme will deliver essential repairs to the libraries and seek to provide improved accessibility and sustainability throughout the buildings.
The £500k refurbishment of Southborough Library will include a comprehensive repair programme with end of life materials replaced and repairs made to the building’s infrastructure, as well as new public access toilets with baby changing facilities.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Regeneration, said: “These works will deliver a much-needed improvement to ensure that our busy libraries are prepared for the future. Having issued more books last year than any other London borough, this major investment will ensure that Bromley’s libraries continue to thrive and provide the high quality of services and support that make an invaluable contribution to many of our lives. I would like to thank residents in advance for their patience as we make these improvements.”
The planned works will cover libraries in Southborough, Beckenham, Mottingham, Chislehurst, Burnt Ash, Orpington, Petts Wood, Penge, and Hayes, with a refurbished St Paul’s Cray Library opening last year. The programme has been designed in phases to minimise disruption to Bromley residents and maximise the amount of library space open at one time, redirecting users to alternative locations in close proximity where necessary. A separate project is underway to regenerate West Wickham Library.
It is expected that Southborough Library will be able to reopen in late summer 2024. The nearest libraries during this closed period will be Petts Wood, Hayes and Bromley Central Libraries.
For more information on all our libraries and the library repair programme.
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For media enquiries, please contact: Olivia Marshall, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8461 7857 or email olivia.marshall@bromley.gov.uk.