Forum Topic

Acton Town Hall Library

Had my first visit to the new library today. Very light and airy, with high ceiling and lots of natural light. I even found a brand new book to take out. They're obviously still doing some setting up (my library card wasn't recognised) but first impressions are good.

Pete Grist ● 4528d11 Comments

How would I find the library?Would I have to walk into what I thought was only the new gym?  I was expecting to get to the library through the main door of the old town hall, but that still looks derelict!

Ben Smith ● 4528d

There only seems to be one entrance - you go in from the high street, past the swimming costumes on right and reception on left and then I think its one floor on your left.It is airy - but if they had done the mezzanine as first envisaged, there would be somewhere for people to study (and maybe a slightly separate children's library - dunno what the sure start group are supposed to do)

Sara Nathan ● 4528d

Will visit but not in agreement with losing our original library. Hope the arts centre get in there instead of a bar or restaurant.

Ana Strachan ● 4528d

Does anybody know what will happen to the main part of the Old Town Hall?  The big old entrance looks so tatty now - are they just leaving it like that, or are there plans to open it up?

Ben Smith ● 4498d

Isnt that all going to be flats?

Sara Nathan ● 4498d

The main entrance I believe will now be the staff entrance for Adult and Children's services, and the side entrance on Winchester Street will be the entrance to the flats, as far as I understand.As for Sure Start we are attempting to hold our groups in the open space of the children's section of the library which is both less secure and less soundproof than having a separate space.  The idea of the groups is to encourage early membership of the library so we are trying to avoid a total separation from the library space ie in terms of using a 2nd floor room, as we have had a great impact on library membership and brought in many new families.  Here's hoping our enthusiastic babies and toddlers do not cause too much disruption!

Christine Siobhsn Oktay ● 4497d

I didn't realise so much of it was going to be given over to flats!In that case the old library really needs a new life as the arts centre, otherwise the high street will just be a load of flats and pawnbrokers/betting shops.

Ben Smith ● 4497d

The sale of the flats finances the public spaces - should way more than of course if you think how much the cost of buying somewhere to live in Acton has increased since the business case was made.

Sara Nathan ● 4497d

Yes I realise the sale of public assets to property developers is what pays for redevelopment, but a town centre made up solely of convenience stores and flats isn't a town centre.  As it stands, Acton has no entertainment, other than a load of pubs and roads leading to Chiswick, Ealing, Shepherd's Bush and Brentford, or the out of town cinema on the A40.

Ben Smith ● 4497d

Hope you are offering support to the arts centre proposal then!

Sara Nathan ● 4497d

Completed the survey, which is as much as I can do!

Ben Smith ● 4497d