The library, housed on part of the Abery Street temporary car park, ensures local children and residents can access all their library services while work continues on the historic Plumstead Library.

New facilities

This ambitious redevelopment involves the demolition of the non-listed extension to the rear and creating a two-storey facility for the provision of leisure facilities, public realm improvement works and cycle parking.

The on-going building programme meant it was not safe for staff or customers to keep using facilities at the original library until work is completed in Autumn 2019.

Plumstead Library will close at the end of the working day Thursday 30 August. Its store of books and computer terminals will be boxed and transported across to the temporary library, which will open to the public on Monday 3 September.

Any items due back on these moving days will be carried over until Monday, so there will be no fines for not returning items due back on the dates 31 August to 2 September.

The car park will remain operational while the temporary library is in place and will provide parking for 12 cars, including one disabled parking bay.

'Committed to ensuring library services remain available to Plumstead'

Miranda Williams, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and the Third Sector, said: "The Council is committed to ensuring library services remain available to Plumstead residents throughout the period of construction work. The Abery Street site was the only feasible site available and I'm delighted that local people will be able to access the services they want with a minimal break in operation."

'A positive impact on footfall for local businesses'

Councillor Sizwe James, Cabinet Members for Growth and Strategic Development, said: "We hope that this move will be positive news for local businesses. In June 2018, Plumstead Library had 3,381 visitors and so moving the library to this more central location should have a positive impact on footfall for local businesses."