WORK to relocate Stonehouse Library into the Town Hall is progressing well.

The current library building in Elm Road had become outdated and difficult to maintain.

An investment of up to £348,000 would have been needed to keep it up to date and fit for purpose so Gloucestershire County Council and Stonehouse Town Council proposed moving the facility into the Town Hall.

Members of the public responded positively to the proposal so the decision was made by the county council’s cabinet member for libraries, Cllr Dave Norman, to go ahead with the plans.

It means the library will benefit from a presence on the High Street, enabling more people to visit, while making it easier for residents to access library and town council services from one building.

The move will also enable the library to extend its opening hours and set up new activities.

Work began on Monday 2 December, with the relocation due to be completed in April 2020.

The town council has moved from the Town Hall to a temporary office at 14 High Street and will be based there until work on the building has been completed.

Cllr Dave Norman said: “I’m pleased we are pressing ahead with the relocation of Stonehouse Library into the Town Hall.

"It will secure the future of the library and being based in the High Street will encourage more people to visit and use the services it can provide.”

Cllr Lesley Williams, local county councillor for Stonehouse, said: “I too am delighted that relocating the library to share the town council building is finally going ahead. Stonehouse residents deserve good local public services and this new library is a great start.

"With the help of volunteers we will look to increase its opening hours and set up new clubs, so the whole community will benefit.”

Cllr Neil Gibbs, chair of Stonehouse Town Council, said: “The town council is delighted to be entering into a long-term partnership with our county council to provide new state-of-the-art public library facilities for Stonehouse.

"The new shared facilities will provide a much-needed focus for the High Street and create a community hub in the heart of the town.”