Council denies bid to convert Birkenhead Central Library into Indian restaurant

Dec 3 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

NO approach has been made to turn Birkenhead Library into an Indian restaurant, says Wirral Council, while the BBC’s Question Time will broadcast from closure-threatened Pacific Road Arts Centre next Thursday.

In a cruel twist, the Birkenhead arts centre will welcome David Dimbleby and guests on December 11, as council officers seek to turn its schedule over to the new £11.5m Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.

Last week, Wirral News reported both resources are under threat and at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, council and Labour leader Cllr Steve Foulkes revealed an approach had already been made regarding an alternative use for Birkenhead Library.

This approach was rumoured to relate to transforming the building into an Indian restaurant, but the council denies this.

Wirral News also understands Manchester regeneration firm Urban Splash has expressed an interest.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “No approaches have been made to turn Birkenhead Library into an Indian restaurant.

“Birkenhead Library will continue to operate from its current location until proposed alternative provision is in place.”

The library was being well-used when the News visited at 2pm on Monday.

Linda Roberts has been attending since she was 14, and enrolled her 8-year-old daughter at six months.

The 45-year-old said: “Europa Pools is a bad place to put a library because this is central for everyone.

“It’s great for me, and the schools use it as well.”

Campaigns to save closure-threatened buildings like Upton Library and Woodchurch Leisure Centre are gathering momentum, with more than 1,000 signatures on a petition to save them.

And almost 1,000 people have joined a campaign group, “Save Our Services” on the Facebook website.

Upton councillor Tom Anderson said: “Facilities like Woodchurch Leisure Centre are at the centre of the community. These closures are disgraceful - it’s strangling the aspirations of people in more deprived areas.”

l Read our special report on last week’s cabinet meeting on page 12.