Pembrokeshire County Council is to receive almost £300,000 in funding for a new County Library in Haverfordwest.
The grant will go towards a £3.4 million scheme to transform the town’s Riverside indoor market.
It is anticipated the flagship project will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Haverfordwest, details of which were unveiled today (Friday, 8th April).
The new facility will also house a fully integrated Tourism Information Centre, a Life Hub zone – with access to financial and health information – as well as a coffee shop and a top class exhibition gallery through a ground-breaking partnership with the National Library of Wales.
The £285,000 grant is coming from the Welsh Government’s Museums, Archives and Libraries Division.
It is anticipated the venue could generate close to £1 million of spending in the local economy and create eight to 15 additional jobs.
The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Communities, Keith Lewis, said the award was “great news.”
He went on: “I believe a new County Library has enormous potential to become the central information and cultural hub for Haverfordwest – our County town.
“The relocation of the County Library is an ambitious project but it will transform the current market building. It can also make a significant contribution to the town’s regeneration.
“It comes at a time when, due to the financial cuts to public services, many public libraries are facing closure across Britain.”
Councillor Lewis added that the co-location of complimentary services under one roof and on one floor level would offer opportunities to grow the library service and provide a greater range of services to users.
It is hoped to start work in the autumn with an opening date some 12 months later.
The announcement coincided with the unveiling of a ‘draft masterplan’ for the centre of Haverfordwest which will from the basis for future consultation.
Last year the County Council and the Haverfordwest Town Team commissioned a study to improve the attractiveness and vitality of the town centre.
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