Opening date set for delay-hit library

A new library in Nottingham which was due to open almost two years ago is just weeks away from welcoming its first visitors, the city council has said.

The opening of the Sherwood library in Spondon Street was originally planned for the summer of 2024, but was delayed following the discovery of more than 130 defects.

Campaigners had previously condemned a "tug of war" game between the developer and Nottingham City Council to remedy the issues found with the new building.

On Monday, Neghat Khan, leader of the authority, said the opening of the facility on 17 April would be "a really important moment for the community".

She added: "We know how much this library means to local people.

"Throughout this journey, residents have told us how much they've missed it and how important it is to have this space back at the heart of Sherwood."

The old library was deemed not fit for purpose in 2017, and the council later sold the site to Hockley Developments to build a new one, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The developer has built a number of new homes on a large part of the site, and a Sainsbury's store has also opened in a space beneath the new library.

However, problems with the development became apparent after a previous contractor, Dako Construction, collapsed into administration at the beginning of 2023.

In January, Khan said the developer had completed the outstanding work and council contractors had begun fitting out the library.

The council said the new library featured a children's area, free WiFi, public computers, study tables, comfortable seating, and a bookable meeting room.

It will also have a balcony, which will feature plants and flowers from Woodthorpe Park Nursery.

Khan said: "I'm looking forward to seeing the community come back together here and make it their own once again."

Khan added it had been "a complex project" and thanked council teams who "have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen".

A temporary mobile library facility began operating in December 2025 and is available every Saturday at Woodthorpe Grange Park.

It will continue operating until 11 April.

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