Hoylake Library is under major threat, but could be rescued by a local group which has big plans for the premises.
On February 28, Wirral Council passed plans to close nine libraries including Hoylake, as well as other services such as Woodchurch Leisure Centre, as it needed to save £20m to balance its budget. But the cuts plan allows community groups to come in and bid to save facilities if they have the money to do it.
The Life Tree, a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Wirral, wants to keep the library going in a different form with work spaces, children’s clubs and a coffee bar among the things it wants to see in a new ‘community hub’. A spokesperson for The Life Tree said: “We are not saying it will be a traditional library because we don't know if Wirral Council will leave the books.
READ MORE: Big idea that could save much loved libraries, leisure centres and more
“We are hoping to have a book swap or reading cafe and I would like to have a coffee bar to make it into a comfortable space. We also want book events, such as story time for children.”
The spokesperson was clear they wanted the hub to be driven by ideas from local people. They continued: “There are lots of ideas coming in from the community and we’re hoping to have what they’d like. Community groups will be able to meet at the hub. We're also hoping to have a homework club and some work space for people who work from home.
“We’re also hoping to have computers for public use and we’re looking for volunteers. One person suggested we could have someone to support the elderly to order prescriptions online as they don’t always know how to.”
There is strong support in the area for keeping the library open. A major campaign to save the library has attracted more than 1,200 signatures, showing how passionate residents are about saving it. Clare O’Grady’s petition read: “Hoylake library is a lifeline for everyone - young and old.
"It's used by the elderly to tackle isolation, and first-time parents who want to meet other families. It also offers people free education, internet and is one of the only free spaces where people can spend time.”
Backing Ms O’Grady’s call on the website change.org before the council’s budget was passed in February, Helen van Marle said: “This library is vital for the residents of Hoylake. It has been a huge part of this community for as long as I can remember and it still is.
“Not everyone is able to get to West Kirby. Don't take away everything that we have, books and learning will always be needed and we love our local library.”
In order to run the hub The Life Tree, which runs a dementia cafe, a knit and natter group, an arts and crafts group and a drama group for home-schooled children as part of its work, is looking to make money from fundraising and is also seeking grants.
As a CIC, all of the money it makes from any of its activities goes back into the community. On the group’s chances of success, the spokesperson added: “We seem to have very good support from the community at the moment and we’re hoping it succeeds.
“We are in the early stages at the moment and have made an expression of interest.” Under the council’s plans, nine of the borough’s 24 libraries will close. But they will be kept open until November, giving groups such as The Life Tree time to put bids together to keep them open.
The Life Tree’s bid to take over Hoylake Library will be dealt with under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process, which allows local people to take over the running of facilities such as libraries and leisure centres from public bodies such as Wirral Council. The local authority's website said the services must then be community-led with local people able to control decision making and the main function of the service must not be commercial.
A further section on CATs on the authority’s website read: “Wirral Council believes that community asset transfer is fundamentally about giving local people and community groups greater control in the future of their area and their community. If local groups own or manage community buildings – such as community centres or village halls – it can help foster a sense of belonging and bring together people from different backgrounds.”
Speaking at a Tourism and Leisure Committee on January 18, Andrew McCartan, Wirral Council’s assistant director for leisure, libraries and customer engagement, commented on how the authority would handle applications for CATs. Mr McCartan said the council will consider each request for a CAT and do the due diligence required.
If residents have an idea for an activity which could take place at Hoylake Library, they can email hoylakelibraryaction@gmail.com.
