Historic King's Lynn library to be declared 'surplus'

The Gothic-style Carnegie Building in King's Lynn, home to the town's central library, faces an uncertain future because of Norfolk County Council proposals to create a new £14.2m 'community hub' in the heart of the town.

That hub, in the former Argos store, which is part of the town's Vancouver Quarter shopping centre, would include a community centre and a new library to replace the current one.

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

But there has been concern over what will happen to the Carnegie building once the library moves.

Margaret Dewsbury (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

Margaret Dewsbury, the council's cabinet member for communities and partnerships, previously said it would remain as a "community asset" and County Hall last month opened up a process inviting bids.

At a meeting of the Conservative-controlled cabinet next week, councillors are set to agree to declare the central library surplus to council requirements.

They will also instruct County Hall's director of property to dispose of the property through a closed market exercise to charity and community groups in the first instance.

Officers said: "The disposal may be through a lease or through a freehold transfer.

"The council will put in place a supportive process that will commence with an invitation for expressions of interest from local groups and organisations to take it on as a community space.

"It is proposed that interested individuals or groups develop their proposal and submit a bid for how they will use the building for the benefit of the local community and to meet the needs of King’s Lynn, while keeping the original and historic features of the building."

Applications would be shortlisted in November and, pending a final decision, the successful applicant announced early next year.

But if an agreement cannot be agreed within 12 months, the building would be sold on the open market.

What is the Carnegie Building?

The Grade II-listed building was built in 1904 and gets its name from Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who opened it in May 1905.

The 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".