Community groups wanted for Grade II listed library

Cambridgeshire County Council is now looking at other options for the former library on Mill Road

Community groups are being invited to express their interest in a 19th Century Grade II listed former library after a sale fell through for the second time.

The Mill Road Library building in Cambridge has been empty for several years and was last used as a library in 1996.

A charity wanted to buy it from Cambridgeshire County Council in 2023, but pulled out due to the amount of work needed, and another did so in August.

The council said it was restricted to selling the building to a community group until February and it was therefore not on the open market.

A public meeting has been organised for Wednesday "to explore ideas for the building's future, and the council would encourage any interested residents and community groups to attend and contribute to this meeting", the authority said.

Since it ceased being used as a library it has been leased to community groups including the Cambridge Hindu Association.

Nearly £500,000 was invested in 2021 to carry out repairs. It was then let on a temporary basis to the Hill Group until February 2023.

The initial bidder was children's charity Centre 33, but after they withdrew, the council agreed to sell the building to a new buyer, which the authority said had offered "significantly more" than the £700,000 guide price.

The council had said the second potential buyer planned to use the former library for "community purposes", with examples given including letting studio space for the creative arts, dance, music, art and writing.

The council's chairwoman of the assets and procurement committee, Karen Young, said: "While it's not ideal that the previous preferred bidder has withdrawn, this is an exciting opportunity to find the best use for this iconic building.

"We're firmly resolved that any decisions on the future use will continue to be subject to environmental and social considerations, as well as the financial offer made."