Early 2026 target set for new library opening

The library had been due to open in 2024

Nottingham City Council's leader has said Sherwood library will open in early 2026 at the latest, with work under way to fix a number of defects.

The library, in Spondon Street, was due to open in summer 2024 but more than 130 defects in the building were discovered.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Neghat Khan said the aim was to finally have it open later this year or early 2026.

While no specific date has been set, she said the council was working with the developers to rectify the problems.

'Positive work'

The old library was deemed not fit for purpose in 2017, and the council later sold the site to Hockley Developments to build a new one.

Problems with the development first became apparent after a previous contractor, Nottingham-based Dako Construction, collapsed into administration at the beginning of 2023.

The library building was then handed back to the council at the end of 2023 for the final fit-out – but its opening has been delayed ever since.

A summer opening last year was missed following the discovery of a raft of problems with the building, and a "tug-of-war game" between the developer and the council over who was responsible for rectifying them has caused further delays.

"We've made it very clear we cannot be in this situation where we have faults or broken promises," said Khan.

"If they don't do it, like I said we will do it and we will get into a legal battle, but for both of us we can just save ourselves time and get it done.

"It is not big issues that need resolving. It is just not safe to open it. I've been very clear I want this library to open as soon as it is safe to do so.

"I have told officers by the next full council I need a date, feedback on the consultation, but also give a date we are going to open."

A spokesperson for Hockley Developments added: "We can confirm Hockley Developments, the city council, the landlord, and various sub-contractors have worked positively over the last eight weeks with the common goal of this library opening imminently."

A six-week public engagement on temporary library arrangements for Sherwood has now closed, with more than 1,100 residents sharing their views.

Responses will now be carefully reviewed and will help inform decisions on the next steps for library provision in Sherwood, the council said.