COUNCILLORS in South Gloucestershire are set to make a decision on whether Thornbury’s library will be relocated.

The plan, put forward by Conservatives on South Gloucestershire Council, would see the facility move to Turnberrie’s Community Centre from its current location on St Mary Street, which they say is “in a very poor state of repair, needing re-roofing, new windows, complete rewiring, repairs to the heating system, and a host of other maintenance works which require large amounts of investment”.

The proposals to relocate the library have divided opinion since they were first announced, with some feeling that moving away from its central location in the town could see less people use the facilities.

Others have also criticised the council’s closing a committee that oversaw the library’s operations, run by public volunteers. Particularly as it was without consultation and prior to the relocation decision.

Having consulted with the public and major stakeholders throughout September, it has been proposed that the move would usher in a new, modernised library for the town, something Conservatives say will be “bigger and better” than before, encouraging more footfall to Turnberrie’s helping to make an encouraging case to reopen the café.

The final decision will be made on Monday during the council’s cabinet meeting.

Cllr Heather Goddard, the council’s cabinet member for communities and tourism, said: “Thornbury library needs so much money investing to bring it up to standard.

“Rather than running to stand still we are proposing to give Thornbury a bigger, better library, in a popular community hub, and we are hoping this will allow the café to reopen as well.”

South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Matthew Riddle added: "We are eager to upgrade Thornbury's services in a financially sustainable way and this exciting proposal delivers just that."

Thornbury Town Council has previously said proposals to also relocate the Armstrong Hall facility to Turnberrie’s would not be affected by the library decision, with a public meeting expected in the New Year.