Plan for former library
Takeover bid accepted
The former Calderwood Library and Alison Lea Community Hall will continue to run as a community hub, the News can reveal.
South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that it has accepted an offer for the building, which has been closed since 2015 due to local authority budget cuts.
The library was earmarked for closure as part of the £20 million savings the council needed to make to balance their books in the 2015/16 budget.
This latest development is sure to be welcomed by locals who protested and petitioned the local authority over their decision to sell the well-used local facility.
An online campaign to save the venue even garnered support from East Kilbride film star John Hannah.
The Four Weddings and a Funeral actor was one of a number of celebrities who tweeted their support for the bid to save it.
Author Christopher Brookmyre, The Thick of It writer Armando Iannuci, Still Game star Greg Hempill and broadcaster Muriel Gray also showed their support online.
Former Calderwood Library worker Paul McGraw, who spearheaded the web campaign, said: “It is still sad to me that the council decided to close the library despite a clear local will for it to be retained.
“And it has been a rather depressing site to see it boarded up as it has been.
“Whilst I wish the library was still there I am happy to see that it may get
a new purpose in the near future. Any investment in the Calderwood area and its community can only be a positive thing and I hope that it can help to fill the gap that the library’s closure left for so many.
“I wish the new owners every success and hope that they put the community at the heart of their new enterprise, just as the staff of the library did over so many decades.”
It is understood the dilapidated singlestorey building, which shares a car park with the Alison Lea Medical Centre, will require extensive renovation work.
A News source said: “A significant sum of money will need to be invested into this building to bring it up to scratch.”
East Kilbride East councillor Jim Wardhaugh, who wanted to see the library become a community hub, welcomed the latest news.
“I’m pleased something is finally being done with this building and happy that it will continue for community use,” he said.
“It has been a bit of an eyesore so I presume it will be tidied up quite a bit. It will be good to see the centre back in use.”
Frank McCafferty, head of property services with the council, said: “The former hall and library at Alison Lea, East Kilbride was advertised for sale in February 2017 and four offers were received at the closing date of April 21.
“The council has accepted the highest offer which will see the property continue to be used as a community hall and the legal process to conclude the sale is ongoing.”