Spiralling repair costs scupper move back to landmark site - Talks continue over Grade II-listed Marylebone Library
Published: 25 June 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM
SPIRALLING repair costs have torpedoed chances of Marylebone Library moving back to its old Grade II-listed home.
Melvyn Caplan, Westminster Council’s finance chief said restoring the landmark library back to use would cost more than £3.6million, and would not be prudent in the current financial climate.
In 2007 the library was forced to relocate to the Council House building in Marylebone Road pending repairs.
But in three years there has been little progress and, despite being closed, it has cost the council thousands of pounds in business rates.
Residents and both the St Marylebone Society and Marylebone Association, have called on the council to get things moving.
The council’s latest report on libraries singled out Marylebone as the cornerstone of its service.
It said: “Marylebone with its central position, is the lynch pin for implementing the wider library premises strategy unlocking opportunities to improve provision in Victoria Library and Westminster Reference Library close to Leicester Square.
“It is envisaged that Marylebone will become the central library for the city, with the widest range of specialist services.”
But Cllr Caplan said: “The listed Marylebone Library building was closed because of the significant cost of maintaining its outdated and unreliable infrastructure, including heating, electrics and plumbing.
Replacement of these services has been considered but it’s estimated it would cost more than £3.6million to complete.
“Due to the nature and scale of the building and the associated cost of works in the current financial climate, the future location Marylebone Library remains under discussion. However we remain fully committed to providing a permanent library of appropriate size and quality for local residents.”