Hereford library looks set to move to Shirehall after review

Herford's library is set to be be moved to the Shirehall following a recommendation from a review

Hereford's library will almost certainly move to the Grade II* listed Shirehall building, following a review.

The library was due to open in the Maylord Orchards Shopping Centre, but plans were put on hold by Herefordshire Council's cabinet in June.

Now a new business case has revealed the cost of "increasing the footprint" of the library in the shopping centre, would be £516,000.

However, the cost for a slightly larger space in Shirehall would be £390,000.

According to the review, the library, which would also include a new learning centre, would also be more readily integrated with other community services if it were housed in the hall, in St Peter's Square.

Partial roof-collapse

The building also offers more opportunities to generate income through hiring out rooms, and hosting events and activities, it notes.

The local authority's cabinet is expected to back the Shirehall plan next week, before asking the Hereford Stronger Towns Board to seek approval to transfer about £2.6m of funding from the Maylord project.

The council had also committed about £400,000 for the project, resulting in a total pot of £3m for the relocated library, if it is approved.

But the building also requires about £4.2m of essential refurbishment works before it reopens, after part of its roof collapsed three years ago.