Painswick library has made its move to the town hall and will open in May.

Gloucestershire County Council signed the agreement for the new library with the Trustees of the Community Library in Painswick (CLIP) in February.

The new library will open on the first floor of the town hall, which has been specially upgraded by Painswick Parish Council. The library will be run entirely by volunteers. However, county library staff will provide a programme of training and support to Painswick to help them get started and will be available for arms-length support and advice as needed.

Gloucestershire County Council has provided one-off grant funding of £32,000 to help set up and fit out the new library space. GCC will also provide a further £38,500 over four years to help cover running costs.

Peter Corley, Chair of CLIP, said: “We are grateful for the help given by county council staff in guiding us through what has been a new venture for all involved. CLIP has also received considerable help from the parish council. We are delighted and grateful for the improvements to the Town Hall and look forward to moving into the refurbished hall now that the work has been completed.

“CLIP, the county council and the parish council have jointly achieved a great deal and the parish council can be justly proud of the improvements to the town hall. With the new library, Jubilee and the Olympic torch route, it will be a great year for Painswick.”

Mark Hawthorne, GCC leader,said: “Painswick library is a fantastic example of a community library and I’m delighted we have reached this milestone. CLIP has come together to produce an innovative solution to give Painswick a great community facility. We will continue to work with CLIP to give them support as and when they need it, now and in the future. I look forward to the new library opening in the summer.”

Cllr Joan Nash, county councillor for Painswick, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this point and an agreement has been signed. A number of different groups within Painswick have worked together to make this happen. It’s required a few compromises along the way, but I believe the whole parish is now eagerly awaiting the opening of the community library.”

The sale of the former Painswick library building is in the process of being finalised. The old building was the former 19th century National School, which was built with money raised by public subscription from the Painswick community. The grants to CLIP and to Painswick Parish Council give a share of the sale proceeds back to Painswick.