Brighstone Community Library and Museum has been temporarily closed over concerns relating to movement in the building, prompting villagers to call for the much-loved facility to reopen as soon as possible.
Brighstone Parish Council has announced the closure of the Community Library and Museum in North Street following conversations with its public liability insurer.
The council says the safety of volunteers and members of the public is its primary concern.
The matter has now been handed over to the building’s owner, The National Trust, which will investigate further and determine an appropriate route forward.
Brighstone Parish Council has said:
“After conversations with our Public Liability insurer, and following concerns relating to movement in the building, we’ve had to temporarily close the Community Library & Museum in North Street. The safety of our volunteers and the public is our primary concern.
“This has now been handed over to the building’s owner, The National Trust, for them to investigate further and determine an appropriate route forward.
“Hopefully, we will be able to open again soon.”
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The closure has prompted disappointment among villagers, with several highlighting the role the library plays within the local community.
One resident said:
“The library will be missed, hope it reopens soon.”
Another described it as “such an amazing part of the village”, while others said they hoped the issue could be resolved quickly.
Concern was also raised about the impact on older residents.
One villager said:
“This needs to be sorted ASAP. We are a lovely village with a great community. There are a lot of the older generation that live here and I am sure they will miss the library terribly.
“We really should not have to lose an important part of our village life.”
Another resident highlighted the library’s usefulness to local schools, while a suggestion was also made that the library could temporarily relocate to its former building.
No timescale for the investigation or reopening has been announced.
