New £750k hub replaces 'falling apart' library

The new community hub and library officially opened on Monday

A new £750,000 community hub, which was 13 years in the making, has opened to the public.

The GL13 Community Hub in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, will host meetings, the town library, and services like food banks, replacing the temporary library built in 1977.

Councillor Paul Turner, from Stroud District Council, said: "The old library was one that was falling apart, when it came to demolishing it, they pushed on one wall and it all collapsed."

Multiple organisations helped fund the hub, including the district council and local housing developments.

The venue's ribbon was cut by vice lord-lieutenant Richard Bradley on Monday during an opening ceremony.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports John Stanton, chairman of trustees of the GL13 Community Hub, said activities planned for the hub included a craft club, a gardening club, and a history group.

"We've got the food bank coming, Citizens Advice and housing advice from the council," Mr Stanton said.

"All sorts of support services are planned. It will be a real hub for the community."

Mr Stanton said residents had been very generous in donating, with a crowdfunding campaign raising about £20,000.

The new hub will serve all ages and people from all socio-economic backgrounds

Krista Harris, the district council's senior community infrastructure officer, said it had been a "delight" to work with the committee, who showed "strength and resilience against a very difficult funding climate to deliver this amazing project".

"It's going to provide for all ages, everyone of all socio-economic backgrounds," she said of the hub.

"The whole community can come here and enjoy the space. Where you've got an area like Berkeley which isn't particularly well-served with public transport, being able to have outreach facilities is really important.

"Other service delivery organisations can come to the public rather than making the public travel miles to them," she said.

Stroud District Council is providing officers to the hub to assist with housing repairs and new classes for the elderly.