Over 200 angry protesters turn out to 'save' Ulverston library

Around 200 angry protesters waved banners and placards following its closure by Westmorland and Furness Council earlier this year over electrical issues.

The protest was arranged by Labour Parliamentary candidate for Barrow and Furness Michelle Scrogham.

She requested an electrical report Under the Freedom of Information Act and said many who viewed the report have struggled to see how the faults listed would amount to the £500,000 repair bill being discussed.

Mrs Scrogham criticised the decision to house a temporary pop-up library in the Coronation Hall which she says is putting at risk the future viability of the venue as large productions are unable to confirm events for 2024 due to rooms housing books.

She also slammed Westmorland and Furness council for a lack of support which she says has resulted in Ulverston Community Enterprises, the community group managing the Coro, having to hand back the building last week. 

She said: "What angers me most is that Westmorland and Furness could have agreed the lease allowing UCE to continue but instead have taken control of it themselves and allocated an enormous £450,000 annual budget, which could have been used to fully refurbish the library.

"It makes no sense. South Lakeland District Council used to subsidise the running of the Coro to the value of £250,000 a year before UCE took over. Surely it would be better for the taxpayer if they supported UCE, and better for residents to have both these essential community assets maintained?"

A Westmorland and Furness Council said the authority was ‘committed to continuing to retain and deliver library services in the town’.

"Our initial investigations suggest the King’s Road building would require a full re-wire to fully resolve the electrical issues. Other works we are aware of that would be required for the building going forward would include updating the heating systems and works to ensure that the building can be fully utilised and fit-for-purpose moving forward,” said the spokesman.

"The cost of all this work would be significant and so, before committing to this level of expenditure, the council is exploring all available options for providing library services in Ulverston, to ensure it is achieving the best use of its assets and most cost-effective long-term solution for the local community.”

Westmorland and Furness council’s cabinet agreed to take over the management of The Coro from January 1 2024 following the current operator’s decision to end their tenancy.

The spokesman said: "Cabinet agreed to continue operating The Coro as a cultural and community venue, and agreed a budget to run the venue, initially until March 2025, pending the development of an options appraisal and business case setting out the proposed long-term options for the operation and management of The Coro.

"To provide reassurance about the continuation of the current temporary pop-up library offer that is running from the Ante Room in The Coro - which includes book lending services and public access laptops and printers and is soon to be expanded to Ulverston Market Hall, to include more stock for borrowing as well as space for community groups, meetings and events - the Cabinet meeting also confirmed that this pop-up provision would continue whilst the options for reinstating the permanent library offer in Ulverston are developed and consulted upon.

"The council is presently hiring a room in The Coro from the current operators to run the pop-up library and is therefore only able to open in line with The Coro’s current opening hours. The council will be exploring options to extend these opening hours when it takes over management of the venue from 1 January.

"The council has not been made aware of any productions at The Coro that have been put in jeopardy by its hiring of the Ante Room for the pop-up library service and the council has said it is minded to honour all confirmed community bookings for next year.”

The council spokesman said the pop-up provisions are ‘temporary arrangements’ only, and the long-term library solution would involve a ‘far more extensive offer’ whether that is back in a refurbished King’s Road or another location.

He said: "The council has also made clear that, as libraries are a statutory function, we’re required to consult on any changes, including any permanent relocation of a library, so the local community will have the opportunity to comment on any proposals that come out of this options appraisal work, and that public views will be taken into account as part of any process.”