Petition launched to save Central Library

A petition to prevent the relocation of Bristol Central Library has already amassed nearly 1,500 signatures.

The online petition, which is addressed to mayor Marvin Rees, was launched by councillors and friends of the library after its future was thrown into question in an ongoing budget consultation.

Campaigners argue that the current library location is easily accessible in the heart of the city, and that if it was moved elsewhere it would also have an impact on the local business who depend on it for customers.

“Bristol Central Library opened in 1906 on College Green so that it would be in a central location and would be easily accessible by the community,” the petition states.

“The cafe next to the children’s library gives parents a safe space to have a drink while their children are doing one of the many children’s activities.

“The new business area that was built this year is active and a great community resource. It is a community living room as well as and will be helping a lot of people who will have trouble with bills this year in having a warm and safe environment.”

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Read more: ‘Moving Central Library would be an act of violence’

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Former Bristol West MP Stephen Williams and Alex Hartley, Lib Dem councillor for Hotwells & Harbourside, are among those campaigning in central Bristol against the library’s relocation.

“I’m so disappointed that once again the mayor is targeting services in Hotwells & Harbourside,” said Hartley.

“The Central Library is a renowned and listed library in the centre of Bristol, that has been here for 116 years.

“Now that the mayor has wasted millions on Bristol Energy and his fantasy underground, he wants to pinch pennies by closing an excellent resource for local people.”

Central Library is a Grade I-listed building overlooking City Hall and College Green – photo: Mia Vines Booth

“It’s hard to imagine Bristol without this superb facility. Selling it off for a less appropriate use and relocating it to a worse location and almost certainly downgraded size would be a travesty,” Hartley added.

“The mayor has got a fight on his hands if he thinks he can get away with this act of cultural vandalism.”

In a blog post, Williams criticised the Marvin Rees’ previous spending, which he argued exacerbated the current budget crisis: “I understand that all councils are being squeezed financially by the central government. But Bristol’s financial hole is deeper due to the folly of its own leadership.

“Over £40 million was blown on propping up a failing energy company.  Huge sums have been wasted on the mayor’s fantasy project of a Bristol Underground.  All of this money has been wasted while basic and essential city services are cut.”

The petition follows a consultation in which the idea of moving Central Library to another “central location” was offered part of a proposal that would see a major reduction in the money that Bristol City Council spends on the library service.

The Grade I-listed building was originally built in 1906 following a competition welcoming designs to replace Bristol’s old public library.

The petition needs 3,500 signatures to be debated at full council. To sign, visit www.change.org/p/stop-bristol-central-library-being-moved

Main photo: Mia Vines Booth

Read next:

• ‘Bristol City Council does not have the right to sell off Central Library’
• Central Library could move as part of council cuts
• Newspapers to no longer be provided in Bristol libraries

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