Community groups are to be invited to help decide the fate of a 120-year-old library building which is due to be closed.

The Gothic-style Carnegie Building in King's Lynn faces an uncertain future because of Norfolk County Council proposals.

The council wants to create a new £14.2m 'community hub' in the heart of King's Lynn, which will include a new library and community centre.

That hub would be in the former Argos store, part of the town's Vancouver Quarter shopping centre.

But there has been anger that the existing library will move from the historic Carnegie building in London Road.

Margaret DewsburyMargaret Dewsbury (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

Margaret Dewsbury, the council's cabinet member for communities and partnerships, previously said it would remain as a "community asset".

Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat county councillorRob Colwell, Liberal Democrat county councillor (Image: Rob Colwell)

Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat county councillor for King's Lynn's Gaywood South division, raised the future of the building at a recent meeting at County Hall.

He said the matter was "regularly raised" with him by people in the town.

Sarah Rhoden, director of community, information and learning at Norfolk County Council, said: "The council has previously committed to keeping it in community use in some shape or form.

"Later this month, we will be opening a process to community groups, to allow them to talk to us about it, or to submit proposals for how they may want to use the building in the future."

An artist's impression of the new King's Lynn libraryAn artist's impression of the new King's Lynn library (Image: Hudson Architects)

The council this month revealed the price tag for the new multi-use community hub has increased.

The cost in 2021 was given as £6.36m, but it then rose to £12.4m and now stands at £14.2m.

 

What is the Carnegie Building?

The Grade II-listed building gets its name from Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who opened it in May 1905.

The Carnegie Building in King's LynnThe Carnegie Building in King's Lynn (Image: Ian Burt)

It is one of 660 libraries built across the UK and Ireland with the help of Mr Carnegie.

In 1914, and throughout the First World War, the tower was used as an observation point for soldiers tasked to look out for possible invasion and Zeppelin threats.

It was granted listed status in 1982 and is described by Historic England as "Gothic style with Arts and Crafts influence".