There is still no confirmed opening date for Grimsby’s temporary pop-up library, nor any clarity on the future of Grimsby Library, six months after the original site closed.
As previously reported, The Central Library was forced to close in March after a leak, with further inspections revealing the need for asbestos removal. North East Lincolnshire Council began relocating books soon after, stating that a ‘temporary’ pop up library would open in Freshney Place in the interim.
The situation sparked widespread public concern, with £3.7 million once earmarked for a new library building instead diverted to the Freshney Place leisure scheme. Local unease grew further with the conclusion of the second phase of a controversial consultation on the future of the borough’s library and archive services, the outcome of which many fear is pre-determined despite promises from the council that decisions have yet to be made.
The consultation findings have outlined intentions to reopen Grimsby Central Library, however the council said this would be “subject to confirmation of the options and costs for refurbishment”.
Discussions at a recent Scrutiny Panel meeting offered little reassurance, confirming there is still no opening date for the pop-up library and no available timeline or survey reports for the original site.
Councillors were told that a structural survey has been completed, but the results were not yet available to them. Officers stated that further surveys and more time were needed to build a full picture, with the possibility of councillors viewing a redacted version of the reports at a later date due to alleged ‘sensitive information.’
The update — or lack of one, as some argue — has drawn further criticism over the absence of a clear timeframe six months after the closure, and what has been described as a lack of transparency over a project involving a public building and public funds.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.