Old library back in community use

Councillor Wera Hobhouse with members of the Norden Community Trust celebrate by the old library. (Left to right: Nigel Morrell, Ian Moore, Kath Wilson, Wera Hobhouse, Kathryn Bentley and Stephen Haslam.)

Norden's former library has been purchased by Norden Community Trust and will once again be used by the local community.

In 2007 when Rochdale Council re-located Norden’s library to facilities at the nearby community school. The old building was earmarked for sale by auction, before residents launched a successful campaign to save it and investigated the possibility of selling it to a local community group.

In July 2007 Norden Community Trust was created. Talks began with the Council and they subsequently agreed to sell the building to the trust.

Stephanie Thornton, Community Affairs Manager at Rochdale Council said they are really pleased with the outcome.

“Both nationally and in our borough it is a priority to maximise the use of assets for the benefit of the local community," she said. "Butterworth Hall in Milnrow and Heywood Magic are previous examples of working with the community to bring buildings back into use for their benefit. I feel confident that with the support of local people Norden Old Library can be a vibrant community base again.”

Stephen Haslam, Chairman of Norden Community Trust said he is now very positive about the future of the building.

“The trust is keen that the use of the building does not compete with any of the activities currently running from Norden Primary School," he said. "We intend to hold a public meeting next month aimed at letting Norden residents know about the various options and listen to what facilities are needed. We want to know what people would like to see happening within the building.”