WELLINGTON library has reopened its doors to local residents following a £900,000 refurbishment by the local authority.

Somerset County Council allocated funding in February 2022 to upgrade Wellington Library, located on Fore Street in the town centre, after efforts to relocate the amenity to a new, more modern site had come to nought.

The building closed on May 6, 2023, to allow the first and second floors to be made accessible, with the service temporarily relocating to the Northfield Centre on the B3187 Fore Street.

Following a brief closure of this temporary site between September 7 and 29, the Fore Street site quietly reopened to the public on Monday morning (September 30) ahead of a formal opening ceremony on Wednesday morning (October 2).

Somerset Council(which replaced the county council in April 2023) has undertaken numerous improvements to the grade two listed building, which has been in use as a library since 1969, to ensure it can remain in active use for decades to come.

These include:

  • Improved access for both staff and visitors across all floors
  • New spaces designed to foster community engagement, partnerships, and provide comprehensive advice and guidance
  • A larger space for the children’s library, allowing formore flexible events and activities for the whole community to be held there
  • Increased thermal efficiency to reduce the building’s heating bills

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, culture, equalities and diversity, said: “We’re thrilled to have Wellington Library back in Fore Street.

“The upgraded premises will serve as a vibrant hub for both the local community and visitors.”

The refurbished library will be open from 9:30am to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9:30am to 1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The council confirmed in late-July that the North Street building would be sold off, either on the open market or at auction, as part of a wider policy of selling off “non-operational assets” to save money.