Works underway for Bromley Central Library move

Following initial preparations, more substantive works are getting underway to create the new home for Bromley Central Library in a prime high street location.

Residents will soon notice information panels set up around the former Top Shop Unit of Bromley High Street to provide protection during the works, as the site is transformed to become the home of Bromley Central Library that will open to residents in 2026.

The existing library next to Churchill Theatre remains open to serve residents over the summer, as the main works get underway on the future library on the high street. This follows the enabling works that have already been completed, which includes the stripping out of the interior of the building to prepare the site for the works. As well as rehousing the provisions currently available from Central Library, the new library will deliver improvements including a larger children’s library, accessible and Changing Places toilets, new lifts, and attractive modern study areas for residents to enjoy.

Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal Recreation and Housing said: “These exciting plans are moving forward at pace to create a new future for our busiest library that will soon serve residents directly from our thriving high street. This important investment ensures Bromley Central will continue to welcome visitors from across the borough for years to come and builds on the wider refurbishments we are delivering across our library network, recognising the significant role that libraries play at different times in our lives.”

The library will be run by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), the charitable social enterprise who operate all Bromley’s libraries.

Sally Adcock, GLL’s Partnership Manager for Bromley Libraries and Historic Collections, comments: “We are very excited with these plans, and we look forward to moving into the wonderful new library, welcoming the local community and developing our library services.”

Current plans for the new library reflect substantial feedback from residents and library users, including over 1,500 responses received to surveys over the summer of 2024. As well as the state-of-the-art library soon to reopen in West Wickham, the council is continuing to deliver library refurbishments across the borough, with works now underway at Chislehurst, Mottingham and Orpington libraries.

The Central Library update follows the recent news that a milestone agreement is now in place securing the long-term future of the much-loved Churchill Theatre.