The council is proposing to temporarily move Central Library to another city centre location just a short distance away to allow a major £6 million renovation of the current building to create a modern new library and education space.
A Cabinet Member Decision Notice has been published today (3 July 2026) which is asking Councillor Zameer Ali, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety, to approve the council to use about £167,000 in reserves for securing an 18-month lease on Northminster House to enable library services to continue in a city centre location while Central Library is closed for the major renovation.
The major transformation project is being partly funded with monies secured from the government’s Towns Fund which is now part of the Local Regeneration Fund. It is one part of The Vine concept, which also includes the renovation of Peterscourt in City Road and the former railway Goods Shed on Fletton Quays to create quality spaces in the city for new businesses to grow, residents to learn and places to socialise.
The current budget has funds allocated to pay for the lease of the temporary site however revenue funding would pay for its fit-out, decant of the existing library and associated costs.
A full refurbishment of the ground floor of Central Library in Broadway is planned together with new heating and lighting throughout the whole building.
The works will help to future proof the facility and transform the 1980s building into a light and airy modern library with community spaces.
The modern, transformed Central Library will offer an improved digital library service and more modern, welcoming spaces for the local community and visitors.
The project is expected to take around 12 months and building works are due to start in December 2026.
Councillor Zameer Ali, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety, said: “It is absolutely essential that we continue to offer a city centre library service to our residents to maintain access to books, study space, computers, our archive service and community activities while Central Library is being renovated. Libraries are such a key and well-loved community service.
“The Central Library refurbishment will transform what is a very outdated library into a modern library building that our residents and visitors can enjoy. Because of the extent of the re-modelling works the building will be closed for around 12 months so it is essential we find a new temporary home for our city centre library services. This notice is asking for approval to start negotiations and proceed with a lease agreement for Northminster House which is also in the city centre and is just a five minute walk from the current library.”
If the Cabinet member decision is implemented, the recently refurbished Northminster House building would provide a bright, new, modern temporary home for the library and library service while the refurbishment of Central Library takes place.
The archive stores will remain at Central Library in Broadway while the works are carried out and library staff will have controlled access through the contractor. It is proposed the front facing archive service will be moved to Northminster House.
Children’s services, which currently operate from the first floor of Central Library, will not form part of the library services move to Northminster House. However, the building will be required to be fully vacant for the works to commence, and a separate suitable relocation site is currently being discussed with senior officers.