Proposals for Leicester city libraries and community centres

Closes 29 Jun 2025

Opened 2 Apr 2025

Contact

neighbourhoodservices@leicester.gov.uk

Overview

Leicester City Council has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museum Act 1964 “to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons” who want to make use of it.

Due to a decade and a half of central government cuts in funding we are not able to maintain the current provision for libraries and community centres, and the budget is proposed to reduce over the next three years by up to £2.1million.

A new service model is proposed for libraries and community centres which would operate from 12 multi-service centres and the Central Library. The aim is to provide a service targeted at areas of greater need across the whole city within available resources. The council would no longer run the 12 other centres, including four libraries. Community groups would be invited to run these where appropriate. In addition, the proposal includes reducing staffed opening hours across the remaining 13 centres, reducing staff numbers and lowering how much we spend on books, IT and operating costs.

In 2023 we asked residents and stakeholders how we could modernise our libraries and community centres. We received 2,851 survey responses and heard from 200 people at 12 focus groups. This feedback has been used to inform the new proposals 

We are now seeking your views on the proposed change to the service. Full details of the proposals can be found below.

Proposals for libraries and community centres 

Multi-service centres would operate as hubs to support wellbeing by integrating a range of services provided by the council and its partners. The Central Library service would continue to deliver a broader offer, serving residents living in all areas. 

A reduction in staffed opening hours at retained sites would enable the widest network of facilities to be sustained. 8am to 8pm opening would be supported by the introduction of library self-access systems to extend opening hours at six libraries. Staffed opening hours would be standardised across the network depending on busyness. 

Central Library: providing city-wide provision and open 45 hours per week 

Band 1 multi-service centres: staffed opening for 40 hours per week: 

  • Beaumont Leys Library Hub
  • Belgrave Library Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)
  • The BRITE Centre Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)
  • Highfields Library Hub
  • St Barnabas Library Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)

Band 2 multi-service centres: staffed opening for 30 hours per week 

  • Aylestone Library (located in Aylestone Leisure Centre)
  • Hamilton Library Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)
  • New Parks Centre Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)
  • Pork Pie Library Hub (with additional Self-Access hours)
  • St Matthews Library (relocated nearby)
  • Thurnby Lodge Centre Hub (with new self-service library)
  • Westcotes Library Hub

Proposed opening hours (PDF)

Facilities that would no longer be run by Neighbourhood Services

  • Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre 
  • Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre 
  • Coleman Neighbourhood Centre 
  • Eyres Monsell Community Centre 
  • Evington Library  
  • Gilmorton Community Rooms  
  • Knighton Library 
  • Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre 
  • Rushey Mead Library 
  • Rushey Mead Recreation Centre 
  • Tudor Centre

Where appropriate, community organisations would be supported to develop a business case to take on the running of the above community libraries and community centres.

St Matthews Centre would close due to the condition of the building. The library and services would be re-located nearby. 

Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and Library would close. Our Estates Team have conducted a review of the building and it would not be put forward for Community Asset Transfer. Other disposal options would be explored.

Where no viable business plan is put forward, buildings would be considered for alternative use by the council. Where this would not be possible, the building would close, and a range of disposal options would be considered.

Additional investment and improvements 

Additional investment would support a range of proposals to ensure the service could continue to meet the needs of individuals and communities across the city, including: 

  • Extending Self-Access after core staffed hours at suitable sites. The self-access system would enable registered customers aged 16 years and over and accompanied children to access the library outside of staffed opening times using their library card. Self-access libraries would be monitored by CCTV and customers would be given an induction in order to use the service.

  • Investing £1million to further develop retained buildings as multi-service centres.

  • Reviewing the areas visited by the Children’s BookBus to focus on covering areas of disadvantage.

  • Supporting community groups to take on the running of more services.

  • Providing enhanced activity programmes around our 'universal offers' in multi-service centres, focused on health and wellbeing, information and signposting needs, and more cultural and creative activities to bring people together.

  • Continuing to invest in our online services and resources including our e-library.

  • Developing volunteer opportunities to enhance the services we offer and to provide benefits to participants.

  • Providing satellite libraries at identified children’s centres for additional access to books for children and young families.

  • Expanding the Home Library Service linked to our volunteer offer to support housebound residents with door-to-door book deliveries wherever they live in the city.

Supporting Information (PDF) is in the Related Documents section below, and further information is also on our website.

Why your views matter

No decisions have been made yet. The feedback from this consultation will be carefully considered before a decision is made about the future of Leicester city’s libraries and community centres.

How do I get involved? 

Please take the time to complete this survey. Alternatively, you can fill in a paper copy and return it to your local library or community centre. Our 12-week consultation will involve working with organisations and networks across the city to ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage both digitally and in person.

We are also holding several open meetings, details of which are below.

If you would like to attend please email neighbourhoodservices@leicester.gov.uk with your preferred meeting: 

 

Eyres Monsell Community Centre

Tuesday 15 April

3pm - 4.30pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

NEW DATE: Wednesday 23 April

6pm - 7.30pm

Tudor Centre

Tuesday 13 May   

2.30pm - 4pm

Rushey Mead Recreation Centre

Wednesday 14 May   

6pm - 7.30pm

Fosse Neighbourhood Centre

Tuesday 20 May  

6pm - 7.30pm

Avenue Primary School (near Knighton Library)

Wednesday 21 May

6pm - 7.30pm

St Matthews Centre

Thursday 29 May  

6pm - 7.30pm

Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre

Wednesday 4 June   

6pm - 7.30pm

Evington Library

Tuesday 10 June   

2.30pm - 4pm

Coleman Neighbourhood Centre

Tuesday 17 June  

6pm - 7.30pm

Gilmorton Community Rooms

Thursday 19 June

6pm - 7pm

Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre

Tuesday 24 June

2pm - 3pm

 

 

Give us your views

Online Survey

Events

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Libraries
  • Community centres