Closure of libraries and community centres

All libraries, Council-managed community centres, public conveniences and ranger huts or pavilions in our parks will be temporarily closed to the public at 5pm on Friday 20 March 2020 until further notice, following advice from Public Health England.

We will be maintaining access to Registrars Services in Winsford and Ellesmere Port.

Storyhouse will maintain a mini library in the lobby with ‘soup and solidarity’, from 9-5pm, offering takeaway soup and hot drinks on a pay-what-you-feel basis.   Library staff will be on hand to help customers choose and return their books.

Customers with no other online access will be able to use library computers in half-hour slots, with plenty of space between them and cleaned between each use.

To help you to continue using our service in the future, we have: 

· Extended all loans until the end of April and will continue to review this as necessary

· Halted any new fines incurring

· Removed the limit on all renewals

· Removed the charge for holds not collected

People can also access eBooks, audio downloads and eMagazines free of charge via our website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries

Loans can be renewed online, by phone 0300 123 7739 (24 hour renewals)  or email libraries@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The Community centres affected are Lache Community Centre, Dingle Community Centre, Flatt Lane Community Centre, Little Sutton Communiy Centre, Thelwell Road Community Centre, Westminster Community Centre and Wolverham Community Centre.

Activities within parks and open spaces, and outdoor sports bookings in the borough are being postponed or cancelled.

People can still access parks, but please ensure you adhere to Government’s Coronavirus guidance on social distancing.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Libraries and community centres are the heart of our borough and closing them temporarily is not a decision we take lightly.

“However, such is the extent of this outbreak and following the advice of Public Health England on social distancing, it is a move we have had to take in order to protect the health of our residents.

“We will monitor the situation and follow Government guidance before reopening and we look forward to the day when we can have our community buildings running as normal.”

For more information on the Council’s response to Coronavirus, please visit:  https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus.aspx