Central Library on Angel Row is set to be declared ‘surplus to requirements’ and the building sold, it has been confirmed.
It is set to be replaced by the new Central Library in the Broadmarsh Bus Station and Car Park.
Earlier this month, Labour-run Nottingham City Council said it would not be reopening the Angel Row site after the enforced Covid-19 shutdown.
The council acknowledged there may be ‘disappointment’ from the move, but said it would enable it to speed up the sale of the Angel Row site.
It said rather than reopening with a limited service in the city centre – necessitated by social distancing – it would use the time to prepare the building for the sale.
It also said this will enable the fit-out of the new Central Library to be sped up.
In the meantime, some of the resources from the old library will be transferred to community libraries elsewhere in the city, which have now reopened with social distancing measures in place.
The new Central Library at Broadmarsh is expected to open late next year.
The city council has moved to declare the old library ‘surplus to requirements’ – a legal necessity before it can be sold.
It has long been expected the old site would be marketed for offices, with a significant refit required to bring it up to Grade A office standards.
Developers Henry Boot were appointed this time last year to take on the project.
The new library aims to be the ‘best children’s library in the country’.
There will be quieter adult areas upstairs, including the local history section, as well as study areas, a cafe, public computers and space for pop-up exhibitions.
However council bosses have said previously it is expected to have slightly fewer books than the previous Central Library.
