The fight to save Wallasey Central Library continues

Wallasey Central Library, one of 14 libraries still open and run by the local authority, is under threat as the council prepares to cut its budget to plug a £38m gap.

There are fears the council could decide to close Wallasey Central, prompting one group to start a consultation on the streets as well as through a social media campaign.

Wallasey Central Library. Picture: Craig Manning (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

During a meeting at the library on Saturday, organised by the Friends of Wallasey Central Library, it was announced that a day of action would take place on Saturday, February 4 during which campaigners will have petitions at five sites in Wallasey.

Barbara Hardcastle, chair of the group, told the 40 people at the meeting: "We don't know a lot more about the plans at the moment, other than what has been printed in the press.

"At the moment, we feel as though the two options are to close the library and move it to Floral Pavilion in New Brighton and moving Birkenhead library into the town hall in Birkenhead.

"The good thing is, over the last couple of weeks, we've had a lot of publicity, which is something we've been fighting to get for a long time. It has stimulated a lot of reaction from the public.

"One of the issues that gets me is that these council buildings are heated, whether or not they get used.

"I'm sure there are ways that money can be saved and put into resources that we actually need.

"Libraries, leisure centres, parks and youth centres are all threatened with the axe."

Wallasey Central Library. Picture: Craig Manning (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Ms Hardcastle believes that if the library, which first opened in 1911, closes, it will be lost forever.

She added: "This government has a big thing about tackling loneliness and mental health and everyone of these facilities help people with these issues. If these facilities are cut we will see more problems with mental health and loneliness in the future."

One person attending the meeting agreed, saying: "The library has kept me sane, particularly over the last three years."

Jane Mansel, added: "I would chain myself to the railings if they tried to close this library."

Father Leopold Shuschevski, from Wallasey Historical Society, said: "They should keep the five central libraries open, because of the collections that are housed, such as the music collection.

"If the collections were broken up, they couldn't be accommodated."

New Brighton Labour councillors, Tony Jones, Sue Powell-Wilde and Paul Martin also attended the meeting and pledged their support for any action as part of the group's campaign.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said recently: "No decisions have been made at this stage, but it is clear from the current budget projections that the council is likely to face very difficult choices in the coming months and the authority will need to make substantial savings.

"This is a national issue and one which affects local authorities across the country."

For more details on how to take part in the campaign on February 2, contact Barbara Hardcastle on 07907 022 467.