Century-old library service closes over fire risk

A library service that opened more than 100 years ago has closed its doors for a final time due to concerns the building poses a fire risk.

The library in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, began lending books in 1922, but failed a fire inspection three years ago - forcing its closure.

Mike Richmond, chair of the volunteers who run the independent facility, said the group could do little to replace the building, which would now be demolished.

"We're the most well used of the community run libraries within Cambridgeshire," he said, adding that the service had more than 700 regular users who took out 14,000 books a year.

He said the nearest library was about five miles (8 km) away.

The library is on a site owned by Waterbeach Primary and there were fears any fire could spread to the school.

Richmond, who has been a volunteer for 22 years, said they were hoping to find a temporary site to operate the service.

"Being on the school site, we have lots of children who come in at the end of the school day," he said.

"That's our busiest period. And roughly three out of four of our trade of books are junior books."

He said the county council has said some of the seed money given by developers building 4,500 homes for a new library for Waterbeach would be given to the village to help provide a replacement.

Regular library user Ava Enrico, who lives in the village, said the closure was a "loss to the town".

"It is so good to be able to walk here with the kids and take new books," she said.

She would now have to take a bus or drive to another library.

"They have a really nice section for small kids, so it's a pity we will come here and read, or just borrow the books and take them home," she added.

"It's quite sad, and I really hope they find an alternative place."

The nearest alternative libraries are Histon and Barnwell Road.

Waterbeach Parish Council (WPC) said the library has been independent since the early 2000s, when the county council withdrew funding.

WPC had supported the facility by paying its rent, insurance and grants to fund reading challenges, purchase books and equipment.

Parish chair, Jane Williams, said its use "at the moment is very restrictive because of school requirements such as safeguarding (rightly so), opening times, parking etc".

She added that WPC remained "committed to supporting" a library for the village.

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