Former library goes under hammer for second time

A HUGE, Grade-II listed library building in the middle of the Valleys is set to go under the hammer for a second time, with a guide price of just £60,000.

A buyer could not be found for the former Porth Library in the Rhondda Valley last week, despite it’s low markup.

The library itself was moved into the Porth Plaza building next door last year, in a move the council said would “transform” the local service. As a result, the large building on Pontypridd Road, which was became home to the village’s first library in 1953, was sold by the council in July for just £45,000.

Now, the 3,154sq ft property is up for sale again and Porth councillor Julie Williams said she hoped it would be turned into something for the village.

“It’s a lovely building. I think it’s sad we had to lose it as a library. It would be nice if we could have it back in some sort of community use or social enterprise,” she said.

“I have heard it may be turned into flats which would still be better to see that than it remain empty.

“But it would be nice to see it be turned into something good for the village. It’s a very good location and with parking up the sides and access from the rear.”

The building is available for the £62,000 price, and it is thought it will be put up for auction again on October 24, with auctioneer Seel & Co describing it as a “great opportunity”.

Auctions valuer Paul White said it has planning permission and the downstairs could be turned into a restaurant or cafe, while upstairs could become apartments.

Mr White said: “The property offers an opportunity for an owner occupier or investor with the ground and first floors having separate access points.

“An owner-occupier may look to use the ground floor for their business with living accommodation above or an investor may look to develop the property and let out the commercial and residential units or sell the residential units off on long leases.”