Bromley’s libraries are getting a refresh

Libraries play an important role for communities across the London Borough of Bromley, as places for residents and families to access services, seek support, join various clubs and activities, or to get easy and free online access.

The borough’s much-loved libraries issued over one million books last year, more than any other London Borough with Bromley Central Library also ranking in the top ten busiest libraries nationwide.

In recognition of their significance for residents, Bromley Council is regenerating its library network to carry out repairs and ensure facilities are fit for the future. Around £11m has been allocated for the refurbishment of eleven libraries across the borough, in addition to the extensive regeneration of West Wickham Library to create a modern building with a host of new facilities like a café, new children’s learning areas and community hire spaces.

The first of these refurbished libraries to reopen was St Paul’s Cray in Orpington. As well as a host of new facilities like modern consultation rooms, new computer suites and accessible customer toilets, the remodelling meant a local Community Support Centre was able to co-locate with the service, to creating a convenient hub for local residents.

Crystal Palace Park set to thrive following historic handover

In a key milestone in the regeneration plan, the management of the much-loved park has been transferred to the Crystal Palace Park Trust, setting the scene for a prosperous future.

The transfer is a major stage of Bromley Council’s £52m Regeneration Plan that will see a major transformation of the park, including restoring sites like the renowned dinosaurs and subway. The transfer is key to creating a sustainable model for the park’s future, with the Trust, an independent community-based charity, now responsible for delivering wide-ranging improvements that benefit the whole community.

The Regeneration Plan for the park is making good progress, with the restoration of the Grade II* listed subway now at an advanced stage and the next major stage of works now coming forward, including the regeneration of the Italian Terraces. The funding for the regeneration plan comes from a number of

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said:

“This is a brilliant new facility that has been carefully designed to accommodate the needs of these important services for the benefit of the local community who use them. I am delighted that we have secured residents access to these services over the long term through delivering an impressive, modern library building for all to enjoy. This is just one step in our wider strategy of improving library facilities across the borough, in recognition of the invaluable role they play in so many residents’ lives, with our libraries issuing more books last year than any other borough.” sources with further grant funding still being sought. The Grade I listed dinosaurs are also being restored, thanks to development funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The restoration of these iconic structures is being developed collaboratively with partners Historic England.

Other libraries will soon also be refurbished across the borough, with planned works on libraries in Beckenham, Burnt Ash Lane, Chislehurst, Hayes, Mottingham, Orpington, Penge, Petts Wood and Southborough.