LISKEARD’S library could reopen by the end of 2021 – this is the news as formal agreement is reached between Cornwall Council and community interest company RIO on the terms of the project.

RIO (Real Ideas Organisation) will finally be given access to the premises from next month, and a year of works is then expected to begin in January 2021.

The announcement that management of the library would transfer to RIO was first made in 2016. Last year RIO successfully secured £150,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund towards the refurbishment of the Victorian building, allowing them to progress design work for the renovation and reconfiguration of the Grade II listed premises in Barras Street. This has been happening in the background, says the Council, and as Covid restrictions lift, remedial work will start.

“Positivity, but just a little more patience” are the words Cornwall Council says are needed to describe the situation – who exactly this is aimed at is not quite clear.

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Libraries, Edwina Hannaford, said: “The transfer of a Cornwall Council building to a community interest company like RIO has been complicated and necessarily cautious. But we have persevered by never losing sight of the exciting opportunity this partnership offers to Liskeard, its residents, and its local economy.

“Cornwall Council and RIO are solidly dedicated to the same aim - providing Liskeard with a re-invigorated library that will be the pride of the town and do justice to John Passmore Edwards’s legacy.”

“It is far from ideal that it has had to weather such a long period unused, but we couldn’t embark on expensive works until the contract was agreed by both parties. Now we have agreed the last hurdles, the rest should be straightforward.”

Liskeard Town Council has been involved throughout, and helped secure funding to retain an architect to design the new scheme.

Lindsey Hall, Chief Executive of RIO, said: “It has been a long and at times, frustrating journey, unfortunately now further complicated by the pandemic, but we are delighted to have reached this important milestone. The design team has been working hard during lockdown and we’re looking forward to restrictions lifting soon, so we can begin the practical work of giving some much needed love to a beautiful building. Achieving this agreement is a very significant step, which will help to unlock further resources and ensure we can move ahead towards our goal of restoring the library to its rightful place in the town centre and adding much needed town centre co-working and creative facilities.”

A temporary library will continue to operate from Luxstowe House until the refurbished building is ready to deliver the library offer. A ‘click and collect’ library service is currently in place due to Covid 19 restrictions.