Library keys handed to town council

A MAJOR refurbishment of Pershore Library is a step closer after the town council became its official owners.

The council is set to spend about half a million pounds revamping the run down Church Street building after it agreed to take it off cash-strapped Worcestershire County Council's hands last December.

It is not yet known what changes and refurbishment will take place at the library but the funding will come from the town council's own budget, a loan and from external grants.

The county council will also pay £10,000 a year in rent in a deal which will help it save part of the £1.8 million it needs to slash from its libraries and learning service.

Ann Dobbins, Pershore town clerk, said it was a relief to finally have the keys.

"The town council is pleased this phase of the library project has been successfully concluded and thank the county council for the way they have been so ready to work in partnership with us.

"The next stage will be to consider the refurbishment so that Pershore will have a first class library and community facility."

The town council was forced to step in last year after bosses at Worcestershire County Council said it was too expensive to continue maintaining Pershore Library and proposed moving it out of the town centre into the civic centre.

Coun John Campion, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for localism and communities, added: "What happened in Pershore is further evidence of the council's approach and of how by working closely with partner organisations you can achieve really great results and make a positive difference.

"I commend the town council for all its hard work to get to where we are today and wish them every success.

"I can assure our continued commitment to working with the community to deliver the services they really want."

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