SOME of the North East Lincolnshire libraries facing closure could be about to begin a new chapter.
As reported, under a scheme approved by North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet committee, just four core centres – Grimsby Central Library, Cleethorpes seafront, Immingham and Waltham – will be retained, with extended opening hours.
However, from October the council will no longer operate centres in Grant Thorold, Willows, Nunsthorpe, Humberston and Laceby, in the hope of saving £500,000.
The move follows a month-long public consultation, launched in December last year.
But now, a social enterprise has submitted plans to take over the running of Humberston library and the award-winning Grant Thorold library.
The man behind the venture, who does not wish to be named, said he hopes he can also give new life to Scartho library.
As reported, the St Giles Avenue centre had also been earmarked for closure in October but has been granted a stay of execution until "at least January" after Grimsby Institute pledged to continue running it along with other services.
The businessman stressed the new ventures will be run on a not-for-profit basis and will keep the community facilities as focal points for their respective neighbourhoods.
The business plan submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council also contains a proposal for the maintenance of Grant Thorold park to be taken over by the new social enterprise.
It is also proposed that each of the libraries could have tea rooms or snack bars for visitors to enjoy.
And, talks have taken place with Havelock Academy to strengthen links with Grant Thorold library and use it as a training facility.
However, as yet, the prospects of The Willows and Laceby libraries are unknown.
The man submitting the proposal for Humberston and Grant Thorold said: "We are hoping we can move the transfer forward as quickly as possible. We are hoping for a decision next month and subject to approval could have them running by mid-October. It will be brilliant if it all comes off."
"It looks as if Scartho will close, but we aim to be in a position to reopen it soon afterwards, once Humberston and Grant Thorold libraries are established."
He said: "These will be not-for-profit and run as social enterprises. We are not doing it to make money. We aim to retain as many of these services as possible and will have to make them sustainable."
He added: "In the business plan we have put in a view to look after other facilities such as the park at Grant Thorold.
The Telegraph also understands talks are underway to move Nunsthorpe library into the new Centre4 in the old St Mary's School in Wootton Road.
Councillor Alex Baxter, Conservative ward councillor for Scartho, said a number of groups had expressed an interest in taking over the library in his ward.
He said they were still a "work in progress" but said he hoped a formal submission could be made to North East Lincolnshire Council within the next few weeks.
He said: "We have interested parties and I am encouraged by what I have seen so far but we need to make sure we have a proposal that can be sustained."
Councillor Mick Burnett, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "Proposals for the libraries are still being considered and we are looking to make an announcement mid-September."
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