A coastal town's library is swapping its current site for an unlikely high street location as part of efforts to revamp council buildings and make them more eco-friendly.

Gorleston Library will be housed temporarily in a former hair salon 200 metres away in order for Norfolk County Council to carry out work to modernise its portfolio of civic buildings.

It is the first library to undergo the improvements as part of a £83m scheme to retrofit almost 200 council buildings ranging from community hubs, offices, fire stations and museums. 

The Fusion Hair salon site in Gorleston's High Street is to become a temporary libraryThe Fusion Hair salon site in Gorleston's High Street is to become a temporary library (Image: Google)

The authority has submitted plans to temporarily change the use of the Fusion hair salon at 165 High Street, next to the Palace cinema, for 12 months, in order for the work to be completed.

Councillor Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, said: "The temporary site at Gorleston High Street is very close to the existing library and has been chosen to minimise disruption to library services, ensuring that residents continue to have access to books, digital resource and community programmes.

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Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovationJane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation (Image: Jane James)

“I am delighted that Norfolk County Council has a programme of investing in its libraries to modernise them, providing better lighting, heating and improving the feel of the sites. I know how much Gorleston Library and its services mean to residents, so minimising disruption during these works is vital.”

Construction company Mace is the main contractor behind the Future Ready project, which hopes to provide long-term cost savings through the energy efficiency improvements.

Gorleston Library was built in the 70s after the former Carnegie building was demolishedGorleston Library was built in the 70s after the former Carnegie building was demolished (Image: Newsquest)

The cash-strapped authority, which is currently attempting to find £60m in cuts and savings, intends to borrow money in order to complete the works.

The bill is a sign of the huge cost facing local taxpayers to achieve council ambitions to reach 'net zero' status by the end of the decade.

People can find more information on the council's website (application reference: FUL/2024/0038).