Significant progress is being made on delivering the new home of Bromley Central Library, as major external works are being completed at its new prime high street location.
Works to the roof have included the creation of a new skylight, which along with the new window opening will create a bright and vibrant entrance area to welcome residents into their new Central Library. Much of the internal structural work has also now been completed, including structural strengthening work to support the library’s extensive collection of books. Works will soon get underway on the construction of the central atrium, as well as forming the internal walls for the library’s bookcases.
The new library will include an expanded children's library, modern study areas, and new toilets including accessible and Changing Places toilets when the new library opens late this year. In the meantime, residents are continuing to be welcomed at the current Central Library next to the Churchill Theatre, which will remain open until after school exams this summer.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal Recreation and Housing said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made at the new Bromley Central Library, as we are working hard to ensure this will be a welcoming home for our busiest library for residents to enjoy for many years to come. This includes maximising our use of space at the new site to ensure it has the provisions that residents want and deserve, just as we have across the eight libraries we have recently refurbished.”
The library works are being delivered by partner contractor Fado Construction. Once completed, the new library will be run by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the charitable social enterprise who operate all Bromley’s libraries.
Rebecca Gediking, Head of Libraries at GLL said: “We’re excited to welcome our customers to the new Central Library, and it’s great to see the progress being made. While we continue to provide services as usual, we’re also preparing for the move and appreciate our users’ continued patience and understanding during this time.”
The central atrium in the new library has been carefully designed to provide flexible seating in addition to creating distinctive spaces offering a variety of choice for study areas on the first floor, with more interactive library space for children on the ground floor. The Bromley Historic Collection will also be housed in the new library, and the collection on display revitalised to celebrate the best of Bromley’s heritage.
The current Bromley Central Library will remain open for residents until after school exams this summer, but some adjustments to the service are needed ahead of this to allow for preparations for the move to progress.
Find the latest information about the Bromley Central Library service.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk