Ellesmere mayor doesn't want current library building fall into disrepair
A civic leader in a town said it is important its current library building doesn't fall into disrepair when it becomes vacant.
Councillor Ryan Hartley, mayor of Ellesmere, said he is confident a new use will be found for Fullwood House, off Victoria Street.
The Shropshire Council-owned building currently holds the town's library which is relocating to the former Meres Day Centre in Trimpley Street, now known as ‘Our Space, Ellesmere Community Centre and Library’.
Building work has been taking place ahead of the move which will see the centre open for daytime opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and day care for older people.
Meanwhile, plans are in the pipeline for the library to relocate to the centre in the coming weeks.
Shropshire Council has yet to reveal its plans for Fullwood House when the library moves out.
Councillor Hartley said: "It belongs to Shropshire Council so it is for them to decide. I can't imagine they will hold many talks with the town council about what they plan to do with it.
"It is a good, solid building. The basic structure is fine and I am sure something will be done with it.
"It is an old building which has been used for accommodation upstairs.
"For the whole building to be converted into accommodation it would need a lot doing to it, but you could probably have office space downstairs and accommodation upstairs.
"Hopefully something will be done to keep it going. I wouldn't want to see it not used."
Our Space, Ellesmere Community Centre and Library will provide resources in Ellesmere alongside library and customer services, day time activities for adults with learning disabilities, and day care for older people.
An open day will be held on September 9 to give residents the opportunity to look around the new centre, which will be managed by Bethphage.
The proposal to relocate the library and customer service point was put forward by Shropshire Council two years ago as one of the cost-saving options in a programme of major spending cuts in public services.
Local people concerned about the potential loss of such a much-loved facility held a public meeting in September 2015 and the Friends of Ellesmere Library was formed to try to safeguard its future.
Recently, actress Virginia McKenna was the guest of honour at the new community centre and library .
The Born Free star donated two of each of her books. She also met the winners of a children’s art competition, based on a wildlife theme.
