The fight to keep two libraries in two of Liverpool's most deprived areas: 'It would be a grievous blow'

A row over funding could see two libraries close in two of Liverpool’s most deprived areas. Now locals have rallied to stop it.

The community libraries at Dovecot Multi Activity Centre (MAC) and Breck Road in north Liverpool are operated by Alt Valley Community Trust (AVCT), who stepped in a decade ago to run them when they faced closure because the council couldn’t afford to run them.

Liverpool City Council pays £55,000 to fund the libraries every year. Now campaigners say they are facing being defunded over unpaid debts. The council said the trust owes them “substantial debts” over multiple services, including £80,000 on the lease for the Breck Road building.

Locals launched a protest at Dovecot MAC on Tuesday (5 August) against the closure, which AVCT warned could put other services at the centre at risk – from karate classes and reading clubs to adult education services and cooking classes.

The proposed loss of the libraries could also rip the heart out of the community, said Barry Kusher, business manager at AVCT. 

“It is a council library, we’re just looking after it because the council couldn’t afford to run it,” said Kusher.

“Libraries are more than books. These are places of safety. Even if someone has been a victim of domestic abuse they can get advice and it’s a safe place to come with children, there are reading clubs here, we do adult learning, we’ve got computers that people use here for free.

“Children’s literacy and reading has dropped significantly so if there’s not a library on their doorstep we’re removing an opportunity for children and families to engage them with reading and improve their literacy. The nearest library is two miles away so it will be the cost of bus fares or they’ll have to walk there and back and they probably won’t do that. They would struggle.”

AVCT claims that the loss of funding would wipe out the profits it uses to reinvest into its buildings and services, meaning an uncertain future for wider services.

The charity disputes the debt and said that, by running the libraries, they are saving the council money. AVCT insisted that it has saved the council around £2 million over the last decade by operating the libraries at Dovecot MAC and Breck Road.

Supporters raised banners and led a heated debate in the canteen connected to the library on Tuesday as the threat of closure loomed.

Ian Byrne, Liverpool West Derby MP, was among three local politicians attending the protest alongside Lib Dem Richard Kemp and independent councillor Alan Gibbons.

Byrne told Big Issue that loss of the library at Dovecot MAC, where more than 13,000 books were lent out last year, would leave a void that would likely not be filled. 

“It would be a grievous blow [to lose the library], it really would,” said Byrne, who has a centre for social justice at Dovecot MAC providing legal, debt and housing advice. 

“For a community which just suffered 14 years of austerity, the cost of living crisis, just hit after hit. A lot of money is being spent on the library by the community trust. It’s a lovely building and I think such a monument to civic pride in an area which has taken a lot of blows is something which I can’t countenance as the MP. That’s obviously why we’re here today fighting against it.”

Read more:

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• Battle to save Britain’s libraries as budget cuts, closures and austerity leaves future uncertain
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Liverpool City Council has previously been in negotiations with AVCT over the funding but now the local authority is calling for more talks with the trust over an affordable repayment plan.

A council spokesperson said the trust is considered a tenant at will which means profits are payable for the occupation of the buildings.

Ruth Bennett, Liverpool City Council’s deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance, resources and transformation, said: “We have been pursuing substantial debts owed by AVCT for many years. 

“Regrettably, despite extensive efforts and multiple extensions to resolve issues, AVCT have not taken up our offer to come up with an affordable repayment plan.

“The council cannot continue to provide grant funding to organisations that owe significant sums of money.

“We again urge AVCT to come and meet with council officers and discuss repayment.

“Should AVCT choose to close their facilities, we will promote alternative ways to access library services.”

Libraries have been one of the biggest casualties of austerity since 2010. Arts Councils England data showed 349 libraries permanently closed between 2010 and 2023.

It’s not the first time Liverpool libraries have been in the headlines over the last year. Spellow Lane Library Hub was heavily damaged in a fire during last summer’s riots. Authors donated books to refill shelves as the library was rebuilt following the attack.

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