An action group has been established to campaign against moving Sidcup Library to an “ill-fitting” site.
Bexley Council plans to build a three screen cinema at the empty High Street Blockbuster site and move the library there too.
However, Sidcup Library Action Group says moving the facility would not be in the public’s best interests.
A spokesman for the action group told News Shopper: “We welcome the proposal to build a cinema on the Blockbuster site but we do not believe that incorporating a library there is the best decision for the community which it serves.
“We believe that the present site is ideally suited to the needs of the community. It is safe and easy to use the library in this position.
“Being just off just off the high street allows for safe, welcoming access.
“The purpose-built interior provides for pleasant browsing of the book and media stock, with room for a children’s area, meeting rooms, informal gatherings, personal study and Internet access.
“We believe that the proposal is ill advised and is not in the interests of the wider community.”
The council said that as well as the cinema, the town’s library could also be moved to the same “prime location”, which could increase its usage.
Despite the group’s concerns, Councillor Peter Craske, cabinet member for community safety, environment and leisure, said moving the library would mean it could stay open longer, and would be better for the community.
He told News Shopper: “It would be based in a new, modern site designed especially for it and to accommodate all it does now plus lots more.
“We want more people to become members of Sidcup’s library and use all its fantastic services even more than now.
“Libraries in Bexley are booming – user numbers are up, the number of items being borrowed are up and we have just held our first ever book festival which attracted a staggering 3,000 people.”
The action group said the plan was short-sighted, and would be petitioning against the move.
Both schemes – the library and the cinema – will be subject to planning permissions and public consultations.
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