Tag Archives: Shirley Library

Perry’s libraries legacy of unsigned leases and works not done

Pay more, get less. Under Jason Perry, the council has become increasingly reliant on volunteers to deliver services paid for by our Council Tax – from litter-picking in Croydon parks, to voluntary groups running the four public libraries closed by … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Stranack, Asian Resource Centre of Croydon, Broad Green, Business, Community associations, Croydon Council, Kristian Aspinall, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Property, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Residents Association, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

New managers for public library need crowdfunding to operate

CROYDON IN CRISIS: After a year’s delay, only now are ‘plans’ slowly emerging for the future of four public libraries, with no leases yet agreed on at least two sites. GENE BRODIE, education correspondent, reports  It’s been a whole year … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Business, Community associations, Croydon Council, Libraries, Lynne Hale, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Property, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Residents Association, Shirley North, Shirley South, Yvette Hopley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Perry closes down entire floor of flagship Central Library

CROYDON IN CRISIS: The council’s library closures did not stop with the four public libraries which shut last year, as the Tory Mayor pushes through more service cuts without debate or consultation Mayor Jason Perry, after shutting down the borough’s … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Mayor Perry lies to BBC over his closures of Croydon libraries

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Decision to close four libraries was based on dodgy data that failed to measure use of public amenities for a range of activities, from private study for school pupils to yoga classes for the elderly. By WALTER … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Council puts the ‘sham’ into ‘shambolic’ over 4 closed libraries

It’s Friday 13th, so unlucky for some, as Croydon has designated this as the final day for applications to take over the four public libraries ordered closed by Tory Mayor Jason Perry. Bradmore Green, in Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley and … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Labour minister Bryant rejects public’s pleas to save libraries

Parents, grandparents and youngsters gathered at Bradmore Green Library yesterday, the council-run facility’s final day of operation. Bradmore Green, in Old Coulsdon, together with three other public libraries in Croydon – Sanderstead, Shirley and Broad Green – are being closed … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

No money, no plan, no honesty: Mayor still closing 4 libraries

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Residents, library campaigners and members of the council’s scrutiny committee have all seen through the council’s dodgy recommendations for reducing the borough’s library service. And with the council running at £42m over-budget for this year, further closures … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Community associations, Croydon Council, Education, Kristian Aspinall, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Property, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Council is reported to government for library report failures

Libraries correspondent GENE BRODIE on the latest twist in the long-running saga The cobbled-together, evidence-lite and contradictory report recommending the closure of four of the borough’s public libraries now faces a legal challenge – even before Croydon’s Mayor, Jason Perry, … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Charity, Community associations, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Library Campaign’s formal complaint to DCMS over Croydon

‘Paltry’ savings, 66% opposition to closure and still no costings or plan. Here is the text of The Library Campaign’s formal complaint about Croydon’s dodgy libraries consultation, as submitted today to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport This … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perry’s ‘cruel closures’ of one-quarter of borough’s libraries

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Residents’ groups in the south of the borough accuse the Mayor, and the council, of not listening, and raise serious doubts about proposals to transfer maintenance funds to other areas. By our libraries correspondent, GENE BRODIE Four … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Stranack, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Legal battle expected as Perry to order four libraries to close

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Tory Mayor is about to rubber-stamp decision which was ridiculed by local Conservative MP as providing savings that represent ‘a drop in the ocean of the council’s debt’. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES Croydon Mayor Jason Perry will … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Stranack, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Manju Shahul Hameed, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, Stuart Collins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Closing libraries is a sign of ‘failed administration’ – say Tories

Education correspondent GENE BRODIE on the ever-present threat to the borough’s public libraries, with a doom-laden, long-delayed council report expected next week At the council cabinet meeting to be held on September 25 (the first such meeting held by our … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Manju Shahul Hameed, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, Stuart Collins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Selling off borough’s public libraries is act of social vandalism

In his latest column, ANDREW FISHER, pictured right, looks for the real reasons behind closure plans and suggests that the Labour Government should be doing more to help struggling local authorities One of my favourite songs from the 1990s begins … Continue reading

Posted in Andrew Fisher, Broad Green, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Comic Kumar’s message for Mayor over Shirley library closure

The likely closure of Shirley Library would be “a devastating blow” for local residents, according to comic and television presenter Nish Kumar. Kumar grew up in Shirley and used its public library, where borrowing books “fostered a lifelong love of … Continue reading

Posted in Community associations, Croydon Council, Education, Jason Cummings, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

More than 2,500 sign petition to save Sanderstead Library

A petition to keep Sanderstead Library open has attracted more than 2,500 signatures. 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 … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Sanderstead Residents Association, Shirley North, Shirley South | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time is running out to help save our threatened public libraries

CROYDON COMMENTARY: As the deadline approaches for the consultation on Tory plans to close or downgrade half the borough’s libraries, ELAINE GARROD seeks your support in responding to the council consultation I have always believed that having a local library … Continue reading

Posted in Croydon Council, Croydon South, Elaine Garrod, Libraries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

£51,000pa saved on library won’t touch council’s £1.6bn debt

Three years ago, RICHARD PACITTI, pictured left, explained how to save the borough’s libraries. With half of Croydon’s public libraries once again under threat of closure or being down-graded, he’s back to make the case for a properly funded, essential … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Broad Green Residents' Association, Community associations, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

‘The council is dismantling our borough, service by service’

CROYDON COMMENTARY: The latest sham consultation over the closure of some of the borough’s libraries – with half under threat of being downgraded or shut forever – looks like the end-game to ALISON HUNT So there’s yet another consultation over … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Schools, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Short-notice Old Coulsdon library webinar betrays council plan

Plans to close or downgrade half the borough’s public libraries are being rushed through, as just three days’ notice of an event for Old Coulsdon residents demonstrates Croydon Council gave Old Coulsdon residents just three weekdays’ notice of a “webinar” … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sanderstead among four public libraries under threat of closure

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Up to seven of the borough’s libraries will close or be down-graded under Tory-run council’s plans – a decade after they last made similar proposals to flog off public assets. By STEVEN DOWNES Croydon’s Tory Mayor, Jason … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Mayor Jason Perry, New Addington, Old Coulsdon, Property, Purley, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Shirley South, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Consultants’ year-long study looks to close four public libraries

EXCLUSIVE By STEVEN DOWNES Croydon’s Conservative-run council has a secret plan to close at least four of the borough’s public libraries, Inside Croydon has discovered. The Tories have had a firm of consultants working on a libraries report for most … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Four more public libraries set to reopen after covid lockdown

At least a month later than most local authorities managed, Croydon is to begin “a phased reopening for all library buildings”, after the easing of covid-19 precautions. Four of the borough’s 13 public libraries – at Broad Green, Sanderstead, Shirley … Continue reading

Posted in Activities, Broad Green, Croydon Council, Education, Libraries, Sanderstead, Shirley North, Upper Norwood Library Trust | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Council forced to back down over plan to close five libraries

Having created a threat to close five of the borough’s public libraries, the witless Labour administration is now trying to claim the credit for ‘saving’ them. By STEVEN DOWNES For the second time in just two years, hapless Ollie Lewis, … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Oliver Lewis, Sanderstead, Shirley North, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Under-threat libraries missing from council’s re-opening plans

Croydon Council this morning released details of its phased re-opening of some of the borough’s public libraries – but with no immediate plans for three of the buildings which it has listed for permanent closure in its recent consultation. Broad … Continue reading

Posted in Ashburton, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Croydon Council, Libraries, New Addington, Norbury, Old Coulsdon, Purley, Sanderstead, Selsdon and Addington Village, Shirley North, South Norwood, Thornton Heath | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Libraries are our long-term investment. Don’t squander it

CROYDON IN CRISIS: On World Book Day, RICHARD PACITTI outlines why closing any of the borough’s libraries is a very bad idea Think of an ideal public service. It would be one that was accessible to all members of the … Continue reading

Posted in Broad Green, Croydon Council, Libraries, Old Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Shirley North, South Norwood | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments