Council to close town centre library

A community library is to close under plans to transform library services across the Birmingham City Council area.

Sutton Coldfield library would shut on 27 June, due to what the local authority called "significant investment" required to address the building's condition and health and safety concerns.

The closure of the facility, based in the Red Rose Centre, would also allow it to redevelop the site, it added.

A spokesperson said the authority remained committed to providing a library service across Sutton Coldfield and a mobile library service would continue.

The cash-strapped local authority had set a target to cut its libraries budget in a bid to save costs, with 10 community libraries set to become hubs, opening for a minimum of four days a week.

At a cabinet meeting on 11 February, senior councillors had agreed on plans that would leave seven libraries in the city at risk of closure, if new partners could not be found to run them.

Councillor Saima Suleman, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism said they would continue to work with partners for the continuation of the Boldmere and Walmley libraries, alongside services at Mere Green Library.

"The mobile library service will also continue to serve the area providing access for those impacted by the closure," she added.

"Residents in Sutton Coldfield can continue to access the 24-hour online service, citywide book reservation service, self-service, library services at home, and digital library offering."

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