King’s Lynn MUCH Business Case
MULTI-USER COMMUNITY HUB
Town Investment Plan theme: Innovative, growing business and skilled workforce
This project aims to create a modern, accessible library, learning, and community hub in the heart of King’s Lynn town centre.
The hub would be a flagship facility for the town, bringing together the library, adult learning, and careers and employability support alongside a range of services that meet the needs of local people.
* Find the latest update on the Multi-User Community Hub here: Latest update – King’s Lynn library and community hub (norfolk.gov.uk)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The hub will be a state-of-the-art fully accessible community and learning space in the centre of town. It will play host to not only the library and associated facilities, but a range of Norfolk County Council services and programming from Adult Learning and partners – curated specifically to the needs of King’s Lynn residents.
Our vision is to create a place where residents can access a range of public services they value, alongside information and advice they trust, with library and learning at their heart. A welcoming, safe space where a range of partners offer support and people can connect, learn, be inspired and find the resources they need to thrive.
The project aims to:
- Provide inspiring spaces and facilities for individuals, communities and businesses that encourage connection and innovation
- Deliver flexible layouts and resources that adapt to the needs of different people and purposes
- Create a strong base for outreach and community support work and support smaller community groups and partners to have a local presence
- Transform the landscape of the town centre with an aspirational building and associated public realm to encourage a sense of identity and pride in a local place
- Attract more people to town centres as a cultural anchor, helping to strengthen communities
- Create a new town centre one-stop shop for a range of services and skills development opportunities for King’s Lynn residents, with close access to public transport.
- Drive skills progression for the workforce – encouraging lifelong professional development, upskilling and reskilling
- Equip young people for success by unlocking their abilities, confidence and potential
DOCUMENTS
Multi-User Community Hub
Why do we need a new library?
The old library is too small for the demands of the town and King’s Lynn is missing out on facilities, training and opportunities compared with Great Yarmouth and Norwich when it comes to library and adult learning provision.
What will the building be called?
The new building will be called ‘Lynn Library’. The library has long been a cornerstone of King’s Lynn’s cultural and educational landscape. Retaining the name “Library” ensures that this identity is carried forward into the new space. While the new site offers additional services and opportunities, the library remains a foundational element, and the name reflects this importance.
Where is the new library?
The new library is on New Conduit Street opposite the old post office.
Will the building be accessible to wheelchair users?
Yes, the building has been developed to not only every modern accessibility standard, but with an ‘inclusivity by design’ ethos to remove as many barriers to access as possible. There are accessible toilets on every floor, including a changing places toilet on the ground floor. There is access to all floors via a large lift that can comfortably accommodate a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Will there still be lots of books?
We will be increasing the amount of book stock at the new library. Ensuring we have something for everyone.
Will the local history resources still be available?
Yes, we have designed the building with our history resources in mind. The local history resources will be located on the first floor and will be available to use as they are in the old library. The special book collections will be housed within a specially designed, climate-controlled room and can be viewed by appointment. We have designed the room to allow for display of the collections, to allow residents to view them as never before.
Will there be rooms I can book?
The library has been designed to include meeting rooms and spaces on all floors. These range from smaller rooms that can be booked for 1:1 meetings up to a large conference space on the top floor. These rooms can be booked on a one off or regular basis.
Can groups use the training kitchen?
Yes, the training kitchen can be booked on a one off or regular basis.
Will there be a cafe?
There will not be a cafe within the new library. King’s Lynn has a wealth of independent cafes and coffee shops, and it would be unfair to compete with them. Residents are welcome to bring their own drinks into the library.
Will the library run the same clubs as before?
Yes! The library team are putting together a full programme of clubs and activities for the new building. These will include the sessions that currently run in the old library such as scrabble club and bounce and rhyme. Our new building will give us much more space to offer more so keep an eye out for a new programme once the library opens.
When will it open?
We are on track to open in the winter.
How much will it end up costing?
The project has a final budget of £15.1m.
Where has the money for the library come from?
Funding for the project has come from Norfolk County Council and the UK Government.
FEEDBACK
We held our initial consultation in 2021 – you can read the findings here.
We gave your feedback to our architects to help them shape the early design work.
We’re now at a stage where our architects have some ideas around the design of the outside of the building and would like some more feedback on what you think it should like.
Find out more and have your say on the King’s Lynn community hub consultation page.