UK: Proposal for Some Sheffield Libraries To Add Wine Bars

From The Bookseller:

Some Sheffield libraries could be turned into wine bars or restaurants with a library attached, if council plans go ahead.
The city council has revealed the names of the groups and companies that have expressed an interest in keeping open 16 branches that are threatened with closure.

From the Sheffield Telegraph

[The list] ranges from companies eyeing a takeover of all public libraries to Forum Cafe Bars, which is looking at the idea of combining a library with a wine bar or restaurant. The council is starting negotiations to assess the potential models of operation and their viability.
[Clip]
Three organisations have expressed an interest in taking over the service – the Sheffield Cubed consortium, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and public sector operator John Laing.
Forum Cafe Bars, which runs The Forum cafe bar and Old House, York Hotel and Broadfield pubs, is looking at Hillsborough, Walkley, Woodseats and Ecclesall with a view to “a wine/bar restaurant incorporating space for a library”.

See Also: Half of Sheffield’s libraries facing axe (via BBC News)

According to the proposal, Central Library and 11 other libraries across the city would be open six days a week.

The council said it had identified funding for five community-led libraries for a pilot period lasting two years.
However, the funding would not cover staff costs and the libraries would only stay open if volunteers could be found to run the facilities.

Filed under: Funding, Libraries, News, Public Libraries