Library to relocate to shopping centre

A town's library is to move to larger and more accessible premises, a council has said.

Banbury Library is currently based in a Grade II listed building in Marlborough Road, but will relocate to the old M&S store in Castle Quay Shopping Centre by the end of 2027.

Cherwell District Council said it would offer a "modern library in a central location that better meets the needs of the community and the growing local population".

Council leader David Hingley told the BBC: "It's absolutely fantastic news for Banbury. It's great news for the town centre and for our residents, and we're delighted."

Hingley said Castle Quay would place the library "in the heart of Banbury" and would be a "significant cultural investment" in the town centre.

He said the move was part of a commitment to make Castle Quay a "multi-use, community destination".

Neil Fawcett, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The relocation will transform our library provision in Banbury with massively improved facilities, including better digital resources, flexible study areas, and dedicated spaces for community events."

The county council, which rents the current building, and spent thousands of pounds on "reactive maintenance" over the years, previously proposed a unit in Bridge Street, used by Wilko.

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