AN EXCITING milestone was marked in Liskeard as Cornwall Councillor Edwina Hannaford handed over the keys to the Library to Lindsey Hall of the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO).

The local authority is transferring ownership of the 19th century listed town centre building to community interest company RIO, who can now finally embark on their major transformation project.

With physical access likely to be possible in the coming month, there’s great excitement about the times ahead.

“It is wonderful to finally have the keys to Liskeard Library,” she said.

“We can now crack on with what is quite a significant renovation project to bring this fantastic building back up to scratch, and able to fulfil its potential as a contemporary library, cultural hub and co-working space.

“While it has taken longer than any of us hoped, lots of planning and design has been happening behind the scenes and we are all working hard to get practical activity on site as soon as is possible given the current challenges of COVID.

“Many thanks to Cornwall Council, Liskeard Town Council, the design team and everyone who has worked tirelessly to get to this point – it is lovely to have reached the beginning of the next chapter in Liskeard Library’s long history.”

It’s expected that the Library could be reopened to the public by the end of 2021.

The announcement that RIO would take over the Library building 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 premises in Barras Street.

Cornwall Councillor for Liskeard Nick Craker said the delay had been unacceptable, and that a temporary library in the building at Luxstowe House was “unfit for purpose”.

“I am pleased that Cornwall Council and RIO have finally reached an agreement that will see our town centre library refurbished and upgraded,” he said. “However, we cannot overlook the unacceptably long delay in this being reached.

“The library building in Barras Street has sat empty for over a year in the heart of our town centre with no refurbishment work even commencing during this whole period.

“I just hope that Cornwall Council learn from this debacle and ensure we are never put in this position again where decisions are taken to vacate buildings before the next steps have been secured and agreed."

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.

"Cornwall Council and RIO are solidly dedicated to the same aim – providing Liskeard with a reinvigorated library that will be the pride of the town and do justice to John Passmore Edwards’ legacy.

“I’m delighted that we can now see a bright future for the Library, as the refurbishment is about to commence," she continued.

“Having attended school in Liskeard I know how important the actual physical building is to the people of Liskeard.

“I also know the Library is central to community life in the town as a safe place to come together and access the services and advice people want and need.”

With the future uncertain, anything that helps bring people into the high street is a good thing, said Edwina – and both she and Lindsey Hall agreed that a community-owned building can act as a kind of ‘anchor’ in a town centre.