Library opening hours cuts 'will hit new writers'

An author has hit out at cuts to a city centre library's weekend opening hours saying they could be an aspiring writer's "only opportunity to pursue their own dream".

From April, Newcastle City Library will close at 14:00 BST on a Saturday, rather than 16:00, as part of savings to "deliver a balanced budget", the local authority said.

Gateshead author Annie Doyle, who writes historical family saga novels based on her nana's life growing up in the North East, said her "writing journey" began at the library.

The Labour-led council said footfall on a Saturday afternoon averaged 25 people, and that changes were in line with other library branches.

Ms Doyle said she attended creative writing classes at the library and her novels now sit on the shelves.

"Those extra two hours on a Saturday afternoon may make the difference to another aspiring author," she said.

"Or to the lonely who seek community, the isolated and marginalised in our society who long for a warm, safe space, and those whose pleasure comes from reading a good book."

Newcastle City Council said the proposal to alter opening times was approved by councillors at a budget meeting earlier this month.

A 4.99% council tax rise and budget cuts of £21.3m were also signed off.

The council is currently in no overall political control after former leader Nick Kemp and five others left the Labour Party to become independents.

Labour councillor Jane Bryne, who put forward an amendment to reverse the cuts to the library service, described the site as a "key part of grassroots creative culture" in the city.

Bryne, who represents Monument ward, said the library provided a "safe, warm, and free space in the city centre".

"I'm sorry that I couldn't persuade more councillors to support the amendment", she said.

"It's very disappointing."

Council leader Karen Kilgour said the authority had to set a balanced budget "by law".

"It's been a challenging process for yet another year, and while some may criticise our decisions, we remain proud, confident, and optimistic about our city as we protect frontline services as best we can," she said.

Additional reporting by Daniel Holland, Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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