Following the closure of Wallasey Village Library in October 2022, a group of people got together to see if they could take it over from the council and reopen it as a library and community centre.
This website updates you, and the wider community, on our work since then and our plans to bring this fantastic building back into use.
We are now registered with the Charity Commission and the Information Commissioners’ Office. We have one aim: to bring this library back.
Timeline
January 2022: Wirral Council considers whether to close nine branch libraries, including Wallasey Village. Petition set up by a local resident attracts 1,600 signatures.
May 2022: Supporters meet and agree to seek ‘asset transfer’ to retain the library. ‘Expression of Interest’ submitted to Council, outlining our proposals to take over the building and run it as a library, community centre and café.
March 2023: Council agrees to transfer Wallasey Village Library to us on a 25 year lease.
August 2023: Hill Dickinson LLP agrees to act for us, at no charge, in the lease negotiations
August 2023: application to register as a charity agreed by the Charity Commission
September 2023: Trustees formally agree to partner with Baked to run the cafe
Our objective, as outlined in our constitution, is:
‘To advance the education of the public in Wallasey, Wirral and the surrounding area or communities by operating and managing a community lending library; to promote for the benefit of the residents of Wallasey, Wirral and the surrounding area or communities, the provision of a public library for recreation and/or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said residents.’
Our plans
Prior to closure, the library was open for just 18 hours a week. Our plan is to have the library open at least five days a week, remaining free to use.
The inside of the building will be remodelled with dedicated spaces for the library, a community area available for hire and a café operated by Baked.
We want the building to be a ‘hub’ for the local community – welcoming to anyone who wants to use it, whether it’s to read a book or newspaper, work on their laptop away from home or to bring the children somewhere interesting and ‘new’.
Maybe you’d like to grab a coffee and catch up with friends or join one of the groups we’ll be hosting or attend the events we’ll be running.
We’re still working on the full range of activities – if you have any suggestions or offers, please let us know!