Library coffee shop plans emerge

A LIBRARY taken over by volunteers is doing so well it is looking to expand.

Users of Groby Library may soon be able to enjoy a beverage with their book if a refurbishment ambition is approved.

Groby was one of the first villages where people came forward to save the local library after Leicestershire County Council announced closure plans.

Now two years on and the community group which operates the building want to improve facilities.

A planning application has been submitted to Hinckley and Bedworth Borough Council which will provide for public toilets, a cafe and new storage room.

The submission states: “The library has an area that is currently used for storage and as a staff kitchen. It also has a staff toilet. Our plan adds a corridor from the main part of the library to the toilet, reducing the size of the staff kitchen area and changing the current toilet to a public disabled toilet with baby changing facilities.

“The staff kitchen area will be opened up on one corner and a counter added. The current kitchen will be replaced with a new kitchen which will give us the possibility of making and selling hot and cold drinks and selling cakes, biscuits and pastries.

“An attached outside corner area at the back/side of the library has a roof but no walls. Our plan adds two walls and a door to this area, making it into a secure storage space.

Part of the interior of the library will have tables and chairs set up so that the coffee shop customers can sit and consume their purchases.”

The library will remain as a library but with the additional coffee shop area.