[New] NEW STORYTELLER FOR SIDCUP

Along with the library and café, the new four-storey building is home to a new Changing Places toilet and nine residential flats.

The new three-screen cinema and an additional studio will open in the building in Spring 2023.

Cabinet Member for Places, Cllr Peter Craske said:

“For over a decade this site stood empty, unused, a blight on the high street.

We decided to grab the initiative and bought the site. With the Really Local Group, we are creating the new library, cinema and café that Sidcup deserves.

This has been a project which, like many things, began with an idea on a piece of paper and to see it turned into reality is amazing”.

Thank you to all our Council teams who have worked so hard on this project since its inception, and thanks to our library staff who have worked hard over recent weeks to move everything across from the old site and prepare the new site.

There are very few Councils opening any kind of new library but, here in Bexley, with this and the new site in Thamesmead, we are opening two new libraries.”

Cabinet Member for Growth, Cllr Cafer Munur said:

“This is great news for Sidcup High Street! It took some imagination and real guts to make it a reality - but we did it!

Former Councillor and Cabinet Member for Growth, Linda Bailey, who sadly past away earlier this year, had the idea for this building some years back. She could see the potential in the old Blockbuster site. This is a great legacy for Linda.

It’s also a real positive for the local economy that has had such a tough time lately. The new building will bring many more people to Sidcup and I look forward to seeing the cinema open next year.”

Preston

Benson, Really Local Group Founder said:

“It has been fantastic to work with the Bexley Council team to bring Sidcup Storyteller to life. Really Local Group’s mission is to regenerate the UK’s high streets by providing hubs for local communities that put the heart back into town centres.

We have been able to achieve just this in Sidcup by transforming the disused Blockbuster shop into a venue fit for today’s world, where people can experience all types of stories - from films to books, special events and community gatherings.

We are excited to welcome Sidcup residents into the cafe and library, whilst we continue to complete work to bring you an amazing three screen cinema.”

Find out more about the Storyteller library, including events, membership information and opening times, at www.bexley.gov.uk /libraries-in-bexley

For more on the Storyteller café and cinema updates follow them on social media Instagram @sidcupstoryteller; Twitter @sidcupstorytller or Facebook Sidcup Storyteller.

The Council is in the process of disposing of the old Sidcup Library site at Hadlow Road to BexleyCo, the Council’s arms length development company. The building was well used for many years but had a failing heating system and damaged roof so had been decommissioned. BexleyCo have submitted a planning application which has been subject to all the usual consultation. Keep an eye on www.bexley.gov.uk/news for updates.