Library set to undergo conservation works

Repair works on the Grade Ii-listed Chichester Library building will take place from next month.

West Sussex County Council said although some disruption is expected, the library in Tower Street will maintain its opening hours and will not need to close.

The work will see the concrete ribs renovated and the original windows refurbished, as over the years water has seeped into the concrete building and caused the internal steel to rust and expand. The original windows also need an overhaul to improve the way that they work.

DBR Limited, a specialist conservation company dealing with the cleaning, repair and regeneration of historic buildings, has been appointed by West Sussex County Council and will start on site from Monday, July 12.

Work on the building will run until November 2021.

The council said contractors will work on the building one third at a time so that the library will not need to close, but there will be some disruption, including scaffolding around the building, access to parts of the library being restricted, and periods of noise and disruption.

Duncan Crow, cabinet member for community support, fire and rescue, said: “We know that our libraries are at the centre of our communities and that largescale disruptions like this can put residents off coming in, but the conservation work is vital to make sure this Grade II listed library building can stand for many more years as an iconic landmark in the city centre.

“We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through this next period of disruption and look forward to reopening a restored and preserved Chichester Library later this year.”