Bungay Community Library to close for nearly a week this month as renovation nears completion

A Suffolk library is set to close for a few days later this month as a major revamp nears completion.

Sprake and Tyrell have been undertaking improvement works at Bungay Community Library, in Wharton Street, over the past year in a bid to make it more ‘welcoming and accessible for the whole community’.

A spokesman for Suffolk Libraries has warned that the building will be shut from Monday, March 17, to allow for final touches to be made.

These include decorations and the installation of furniture, with it set to reopen on the morning of Friday, March 21.

Christine Douglas, the chairwoman of the Friends of Bungay Library, said the project had been in the pipeline for some time and her team were excited that it was nearing its end.

She added: “We are sure the new seating and display spaces, as well as the private meeting area, will be popular additions to the many amenities previously offered.

“We are very grateful to all the local charities and the individuals who have generously supported us with funding.

“Thanks must also go to the library staff who have maintained an excellent service through a spell of significant disruption while the work was carried out.”

The refurbishment was made possible due to funding from East Suffolk Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, plus support from charities, £39,000 raised by The Friends of Bungay Library and £70,000 from the county council.

A key feature of this was a larger and improved foyer with automatic doors to make getting inside easier for disabled people or for buggies, which is now available for the public to enjoy.

Also included are canopies for wheelchairs and prams and a storage facility for chairs, folding tables and other equipment.

It is hoped these could allow for the library to host more events in the future.

In addition, there will be a ‘privacy pod’, allowing Barclays bank to host customer drop-in sessions.

Suffolk Libraries said the new foyer offers a better view of the library and the plans should make the building more energy efficient through improved insulation and lighting.

Amanda King, executive manager at Bungay Community Library, said it was wonderful to see the library’s new look take shape.

She added: “The new space will give us the opportunity to display more information to help people with their health and wellbeing and the addition of automatic doors will help us provide an even better and more accessible service for local residents.”

For the duration of the library’s closure, loan dates will be extended.

The nearest libraries are in Halesworth and Beccles.

Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton, the county council’s cabinet member for environment, communities and equality said: "We are pleased to support the improvements at Bungay Community Library, which will enhance accessibility and provide valuable new facilities for the local community.

“It's great to see this project come to fruition with such positive benefits for residents."