Campaigners call for Bury Central Library to be fully re-instated

Members of the campaign to Reinstate Bury Central Library attended to raise key issues in the public question time.

We do not in any way agree with the closure programme and recognise that, given that more than 13,000 existing library users will see their local library closed if the two options go through as envisaged, the already reduced town centre provision will be totally inadequate.

It should be remembered that three years ago now, the Central Library was reduced to two thirds of its previous size — leaving an area about that of the threatened Whitefield branch; stock was cut back and the reading room reduced to a couple of tables, whilst the floor space was lost in the creation of the Sculpture Centre.

In response to our question about meeting extra demand, we were told that space in the lower ground archives may be utilised, as well as rooms in the adjacent Textile Hall where the current IT suite is reached through a connection corridor. This is not an adequate response.

We then suggested the very obvious solution of using some or all the Sculpture Centre to at least provide a decent reading area and space for the children’s corner.

The response from leader of the council Rishi Shori was that the Sculpture Centre was a key feature of the town’s "cultural economy" which generates some £40 million of revenue to Bury’s businesses each year.

However, on the contrary, there is no evidence whatsoever that the Sculpture Centre as such has made any significant impact on Bury’s cultural economy, unlike The Met, Fusiliers and ELR.

Reinstate Bury Central Library campaign will therefore continue to challenge the decision makers to produce hard and clear evidence that backs up this claim since there has never been any reliable and separate count of the number of visitors to the Sculpture Centre, nor any indication that the money spent on it is reaping a payback.

We have repeatedly requested that a review of the Sculpture Centre be conducted and have had no response.

In view of the impact of the threatened closure of 10 of our smaller libraries and the inevitable large increase in the number of library users having to transfer to Bury Central Library, we strongly believe the time has come for such a review to be undertaken.

We therefore urge Bury residents to take part in the council’s latest round of consultation (available at local libraries and on-line at Bury Council website) reject the only two options offered and demand that a third Option be considered which would include the reinstatement of Bury Central Library to reflect the needs of library users.

Reinstate Bury Central Library Campaign