NO CENTRAL SOUTHPORT LIBRARY FOR THREE YEARS

At the ruling Sefton Council cabinet meeting on Thursday 12 November, a decision was taken to close Southport's main library for three years - and not to replace it with any kind of temporary library in a convenient central location....against the wishes of the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat councillors, including David Tattersall who is a member of the cabinet, pressed hard for the library to be switched to vacant space in the nearby indoor market which is large enough to provide nearly all the usual library services.

But this idea was rejected by the combined votes of the Conservative and Labour councillors on the cabinet and our "Library in the Market" proposal was defeated.

Instead, the Conservative/Labour parties think that the smaller libraries in Churchtown, Birkdale and Ainsdale will be able to cope !

The library is closing next year so that work can start on the major redevelopment of the arts complex buildings, including the arts centre and the Atkinson art gallery. This project has now been given the formal go-ahead following the news that all the funds and grants from other organisations have been made available.

Please scroll down for our earlier story about the central library which gives additional background information.