Nottingham Central Library gets the green light

Work is set to begin on Nottingham’s new Central Library building after Council chiefs approved plans for a £10.5m fit-out.

Work on the three-storey facility will begin in July. The library is expected to open to the public in summer 2023.

It will include a children’s library with an immersive storytelling room, a café and ground floor reception area which can be converted into performance space, meeting rooms and exhibition space.

Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “I’m really pleased that this key development in the regeneration of the city’s Southside can now go ahead. We have been committed to providing a new Central Library that meets modern needs and expectations, and while for a number of reasons it has taken a little longer to get to this stage, it’s exciting that work can get underway in a couple of months.

“This will be a bright, state-of-the-art facility with a fantastic children’s library and some great features such as an immersive story telling room using the latest audio visual technology to help bring books alive.

“A new library like this will help to attract people to an area where we are making excellent progress with regeneration work. Previously traffic-choked streets are becoming pleasant pedestrian-friendly areas to relax and linger, and the library with its café and other great amenities will play a key role in bringing people into the city.”