Shropshire libraries could face cuts and closures under council plans

Shropshire Council’s libraries service could face a series of cuts, with the authority set to launch a consultation on the plans.

The cash-strapped council has revealed proposals to cut the opening hours at its major libraries, close two others, and scrap its mobile library service.

Shropshire Council’s Liberal Democrat cabinet will be asked to approve a 12-week consultation on the plan when it meets on Wednesday, November 18.

Under the plans the opening hours of the six principal libraries - at Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth and Whitchurch, would be reduced to 30 hours a week.

The proposal also includes the closure of Gobowen’s library and the Lantern library in Shrewsbury, as well as the mobile library service.

A statement from the council said “no decisions” have yet been made and a consultation would consider how it could mitigate the impact of the cuts.

It said: “The report to cabinet stresses that the council is committed to ensuring that library services continue to meet the needs of local communities, and that no decisions have been made.

“If approved at the Cabinet meeting on 18 November the consultation would invite residents, communities and stakeholders to share their views on the proposals, and invite alternative suggestions.

“All responses to the public consultation would be carefully considered before being presented to cabinet in spring 2027 for a final decision.

“The proposals that are set to go out to consultation have been drawn up following a needs assessment, which gives detailed information about library usage and demand, in light of the council’s financial emergency.”

The council said it would look to see if town and parish councils and voluntary groups could support libraries where opening hours are being cut or closures are planned, to offset the proposals.

Addressing the plan for the Lantern it said: “The catchment is entirely within the catchment for Shrewsbury’s main library, with Shrewsbury the only town that has two libraries The proposal is to close the library, not the entire building or other services that are delivered from it.”

Referring to Gobowen Library it said: “The closest library to Gobowen is Oswestry library, a principal library, which is located three miles away. Almost as many users in the Gobowen catchment use Oswestry library as they do Gobowen.”

Speaking on the proposal to scrap the mobile library service it added: “The council recognises that mobile libraries provide a valuable service to a relatively smaller number of library users. However, the costs of this service are relatively high compared the average costs of the static libraries. Mitigations would be considered as part of the consultation process including working with local transport providers and expansion of the volunteer-led home library service.”

Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities and environment, said: “This consultation will be an opportunity to help shape the future of the library service. We want to hear how people use libraries, what matters most to them, and what changes could help ensure libraries continue to support communities – but we do want to stress that no decisions have been made.

“Libraries are trusted, safe and welcoming community spaces, offering a route for access to a broader range of public services and community events.

“We must consider how best to meet the needs of communities, and our statutory duty to provide library services, within the context of the significantly reduced financial resources available and the need to urgently reduce reliance on Exceptional Financial Support from the government.

“The proposals that we plan to consult on seek to ensure that Shropshire libraries continue to meet the needs of all current and future users in our local communities,

“We recognise that proposals such as these are difficult – for residents, for key stakeholders and for our staff. Very careful consideration would be given to the consultation responses before any final decisions are made.”