A petition to keep Sanderstead Library open has attracted more than 2,500 signatures.
Under threat: Croydon’s cash-strapped council wants to close Sanderstead Library and sell the site to developers
Sanderstead is one of four libraries earmarked for closure as part of Mayor Jason Perry’s plans to “reorganise” Croydon’s library service.
The petition demands that Croydon Council should “retain a staffed library and invest in and develop the building with and for the local community”.
Ben Selvaratnam, who owns the Wine Cellar on Station Parade in Sanderstead has been collecting signatures for the petition since last month.
“I got a message on a local WhatsApp group including a flyer from our local residents’ association about how our library was under threat of closure,” Selvaratnam said. “I was really shocked – our library is a well-used resource for the whole community. The more I looked at the council’s arguments for the proposed closure, the weaker they seemed.”
Sanderstead Residents’ Association has been critical of the council’s case for closure because libraries are not as well used as they used to be. “This is because the council has cut the library budget by more than £800,000 and reduced the opening hours,” a SRA spokesperson said.
“Croydon now spends less on its libraries than any other London borough and has fewer libraries per head than most of London. Despite this, Sanderstead Library is the third-best used library in the borough.”
Many have been very concerned with the council’s consultation. They feel it has not been well-publicised, particularly to those who do not have internet access. Others have raised concerns that a proper Equalities Impact Assessment, taking into account the “protected characteristics” of the people of Sanderstead, has not been undertaken by the council as it is legally required to do.
Plenty of support: shop owner Ben Selvaratnam (left) and son Elijah hand over the library petition to Sanderstead RA’s Richard Pacitti
Selvaratnam said: “From my own personal perspective, I felt motivated to write to the council stating how the library serves as an invaluable resource for my children’s education. It is our weekly go-to place for doing homework and engaging in educational activities.
“The convenience of having such a treasure trove of knowledge so close to home cannot be overstated, especially considering the alternative involves far less accessible options for us.
“My mother, who is advancing in age and limited in her mobility, frequently takes my children to the library. It has become a sanctuary where she can contribute significantly to their learning while enjoying quality time with her grandchildren.
“The library’s closure would not only deprive her of this joy but also impose unnecessary travel hardships on her.”
Selvaratnam says that he “wanted to do more” to try to save Sanderstead Library. Working with the residents’ association, they devised the petition. “Within two days of having the petition in our shop, we already had 500 signatures.
“Since then, other shops in the Parade have hosted the petition, too, and we hope that by collecting thousands of signatures the council will realise how strongly the community feels about this issue and will reverse their decision.”
In a covering letter accompanying the petition, which Selvaratnam has sent to councillors, he states: “The sheer number of signatures represents a significant portion of your electorate, all united by a common cause: to prevent the closure of our beloved library.
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“This is not merely a collection of names; it is a powerful testament to the impact that the Sanderstead Library has on the lives of thousands of your constituents. Each signature embodies an individual story, a personal stake in the library’s continued existence, and a voter who is deeply invested in the future of our community.
“The Sanderstead Library is more than just a building with books; it is a vibrant community hub where individuals, families and groups come together. It serves as a cornerstone for education, accessibility to information, and community activities. For many, particularly the elderly and young families, the library is a lifeline, providing not just educational resources but also a safe and welcoming space for social interaction and engagement.”
And Selvaratnam wrote that the closure of Sanderstead Library would “… signal a disregard for the voices of the very electorate you serve”.
Under Croydon Council’s plans, half of the borough’s 13 libraries would either close or be downgraded. Also under threat of closure are Bradmore Green Library in Old Coulsdon, Shirley Library and Broad Green Library.
Croydon Council’s libraries consultation ends on April 19.
You can fill in an online consultation at https://www.getinvolved.croydon.gov.uk/libraries-services-consultation or send general comments by email to librariesconsultation@croydon.gov.uk.
It is expected that the decision about the future of Croydon’s libraries will be made by Mayor Perry and his council cabinet, rather than the full council, in June.
Read more: £51,000pa saved on library won’t touch council’s £1.6bn debt
Read more: Sanderstead among four public libraries under threat of closure
Read more: ‘The council is dismantling our borough, service by service’
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