One of Erith’s most historic buildings has been brought back to life after being dormant for ten years.

The old landmark, which opened in 1906 as Bexley's first library, was partly developed into a museum in 1959, before closing in 2009.

Mounting maintenance costs and dwindling numbers consigned the iconic building to history – until now.

Married couple, Sarah Batten, 33, and Peter Nutley, 43, both from Erith, contacted Bexley Council when they heard that regeneration money was being considered.

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A business plan was eventually accepted and their non-profit business, The Exchange, has secured a 50-year lease to breathe new life into The Carnegie Building.

"Erith is a wonderful place, but it needs a bit of love," Sarah, who has a background in arts and heritage, told News Shopper.

"It has a bad perception from some residents here and people who don’t live here, but it’s really a special place.

"There a lot of wonderful people with ambitions but there is no focal point for them to talk or showcase what they do.

"That’s what we wanted to do with the building, to give a platform and community space."

The Bookstore Café opened on the ground floor of the building last month and is open Wednesday to Sunday.

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The Exchange redevelopment project has cost £1.8 million so far but extensive work is still required on the upper floors.

Bexley Council and The Exchange hope to secure a further £1.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund later this year.

Co-founder and artist, Peter Nutley, said: "Ultimately, it will be the community that saves this building.

"If we as local residents can make it busy, and vibrant with activity, ideas and opportunities, we will get the support we need from funders to make the building’s future viable."

Peter and Sarah now hope to offer residents a community-led programme of events and activities that inspires better cohesion and opportunities in Erith.

The reaction to the news has been overwhelmingly positive, according the Sarah, who said only a couple of people questioned why it couldn’t be a library again.

"The reason it closed was maintenance and being unable to stay afloat through being a library.

"We have to make sure we are generating enough income now. We have a really good library in Erith that the council runs."

Sarah said the core message for people was that it is a community project and everyone’s support would be essential to make the building something Erith can be proud of again.