Richmond Library: 'Steep hill' could deter older users at Yorkshire library's new location
Richmond Library will reopen at its new home next month, although concerns remain that the relocation could make the service less accessible to some of its regular users.
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the library will close at its existing Queens Road premises at 1pm on Saturday, October 31, before reopening at the council-owned Mercury House on Station Road at 10am on Monday, November 23.
The authority says the move will provide modern facilities, improve accessibility and reduce running costs, helping to secure the long-term future of the service.
The council maintains that Mercury House offers a more suitable long-term home for the library, bringing it under the same roof as customer and registration services.
The new premises will include an improved children’s section, designed to accommodate more school groups, a dedicated IT area and ground-floor space for the local studies collection.
The collection is currently only accessible by stairs at the Queens Road building.
Mercury House also has an accessible entrance, disabled parking and bus stops outside.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture and arts, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “We are excited to see the benefits that the relocation will bring to library users, securing its long-term future in the heart of the town.
“The new space is fit-for-purpose and reflects the evolving needs of the community, bringing the library under the same roof as other important council services.
“Staff and volunteers will host regular activities such as storytimes, provide IT support, and customers can enjoy hot drinks while reading or studying in comfortable surroundings.
“Richmond Library currently attracts more than 1,700 visitors each month, and we hope the refurbishment will bring in even more people.”
However, some library users remain unhappy about the decision to leave the existing building, questioning why it was allowed to deteriorate and warning that the steep hill leading to Mercury House could discourage visitors.
Avril Proudlock, from Melsonby, said she understood the reasons for relocating but remained concerned about the impact on older users.
“I understand why they have to move, but it begs the question, why has the council allowed the old library to get into such a state?
“Why haven’t repairs been carried out so that the library could stay where it is?
“Instead, they’re moving it further down the road, which I don’t think will be a success. It’s down a steep hill, and I worry that people simply won’t go there.
“A lot of the people who use the library are of retirement age, and I worry about how they’ll manage to get there, particularly in winter.
“When it’s icy, snowy or wet, I just can’t see many people making the journey down that steep hill.”
The concerns follow opposition to the relocation raised earlier this year, with some residents arguing that the Queens Road site is more convenient, particularly for elderly people and those with mobility problems.
The council says the Queens Road building, which is partly leased from an external landlord, has suffered maintenance problems in recent years, resulting in parts of the premises being closed off.
It argues that moving into an existing council building will provide better value for taxpayers and reduce maintenance costs.
Since 2017, the library has been operated in partnership with community organisation CRACCL, which also manages libraries in Colburn and Catterick.
Volunteers deliver much of the day-to-day service, supported by council staff.
During the three-week closure, customers will be allowed to borrow additional books, with return dates extended to cover the period.
Library users can also visit the alternative facilities at Colburn and Catterick until the new Richmond library opens on November 23.