New look for Canning Town library
L-R: Cllr Forhad Hussain, Cllr Ken Clark and Cllr Idris Ibrahim in front of the new building. Picture: Newham Council - Credit: Archant
A “state-of-the-art” community centre will soon be coming to Canning Town.
L-R: Cllr Ken Clark, cabinet member for building communities, public affairs, regeneration and planning; Cllr Idris Ibrahim, lead member for Custom House and Canning Town; Cllr Forhad Hussain, deputy cabinet member for building communities. Picture: Newham Council - Credit: Archant
The cutting-edge “community neighbourhood centre” is destined for an empty building in Rathbone Market, in Barking Road.
The council is spending £2million on the project, which will involve relocating the Canning Town library, which currently stands opposite the market.
Library users will continue to enjoy access to over six million titles through the London Library consortium, where libraries from across the capital share items, as well as the usual books, films and CDs already on offer.
There will also be new studying and reading areas, self-check-in and check-out facilities, computers and free WiFi. so that people can cater for parties and events.
Cllr Ken Clark said the project would “bring local residents together and build community spirit”.
“The building is currently only a shell and we need to undertake extensive work inside to turn it into a fully functioning modern community neighbourhood centre. This is a hugely exciting project and I hope when it is complete residents will make full use of it and it becomes an integral part of the community.”
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The centre is expected to open in 2017, and the council is investigating “possible future uses” for the current Canning Town library building.
