Local people are being invited to help to shape a proposed new flagship facility that will offer a range of services in the heart of King’s Lynn town centre.
The community, and meeting the needs of local people, will be at the core of the new, modern, and accessible hub. The facility will be developed with Towns Fund and Norfolk County Council funding and consultation on what services it could offer is beginning.
People are being asked to share their experiences of using the current library services and adult learning in King’s Lynn, what works well, and what people think could be provided in the new hub. Everyone taking part in the survey can enter a prize draw to win £100 in shopping vouchers.
And, through the survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FZL85TR the public will also have an opportunity to offer ideas for the Carnegie building – the current home of the library services in King’s Lynn – as Norfolk County Council commits that any future use will be respectful of the building’s heritage. The council has also confirmed that there has never been any plan for the building to be turned into flats.
Whilst the preferred location for the hub is to be finalised, any future site would benefit from being closer to shops and services, the bus station, and the rail station, making a visit more convenient, and bringing footfall into the town.
Graham Purkins, Chair of the Town Deal Board said: “The hub will be a flagship facility for the town and there is huge potential for what it could offer. It can provide a one stop shop for services that people want and need in the town.
“Whilst we have an outline proposal for the hub, we need the community to help us to shape and determine the detail of what the space will offer.
“We’ve placed consultation and engagement at the heart of developing our projects and plans for the town and we are so grateful to everyone who gives feedback so generously. And I would ask the public, please do tell us what you think – we are listening.
“This is such an exciting opportunity to bring a modern facility to King’s Lynn, and one that will benefit the community significantly, now and in the years to come.”
Councillor Graham Plant, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Growing the Economy for Norfolk County Council explained: “Our proposal to move the library and adult learning into the town centre will allow us to provide improved and accessible services which meet the needs of the community all in one place – services which just aren’t feasible in the current building.
“We know how much people value the Carnegie building – as do we too. Which is why we want to reassure the community that any use in the future will recognise and respect the heritage of this important building.
“And we would also like to confirm that we will continue to care for and curate the historic book collections currently kept in the existing library, connecting the community with local history.
“We don’t have any firm plans for the future use of the Carnegie building and we want the community to help us to identify possible options for the building, and also tell us what they would like to see in a new community and learning hub for the town. The public’s views are vital in informing the offer of this important facility.”
Councillor Graham Middleton Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk commented: “This represents an exciting and important opportunity to develop a new facility in King’s Lynn that will offer a range of services and resources that can be accessed by everyone.
“The hub will offer another reason for people to visit the town centre, and it will be located within easy reach of local amenities, shops, and transport links.
“As well as our focus on developing this fantastic new resource, we are committed to securing a future role for the Carnegie building which is respectful of its heritage. It is a building which I know means so much to local people.
“The consultation is an important step in the development of the new hub and I look forward to hearing people’s thoughts and ideas.”
Councillor Stuart Dark MBE, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said:
“I’m pleased to see this aspirational project launch today. This is a substantial investment in King’s Lynn by the Town Deal Board and the County Council.”
The community, library services, and learning and skills would be at the core of the hub, but it would also be able to offer much more. It would be a place where people can go for employment support, for careers and skills advice, for business support, for information and signposting, for community and voluntary resources, to get online, to pursue hobbies, and to meet with others – all in one space.
It would also be a place that could provide a springboard into employment, into entrepreneurship, and into education in the town, for better life and career prospects. It could be a place where people can find information and resources around jobs, careers, training, education, health and wellbeing. And, it could be a place to access a range of activities, including for families and children.
The exact services offered in the hub will be shaped with the feedback from the public consultation. But, the concept of a multi-use hub for the town has been informed by research carried out through Vision King’s Lynn which found an appetite for a community space as well as flexible meeting space, better access to learning and training opportunities, and transferrable skills for employment. And, consultation with young people and businesses also highlighted a need for more family friendly things to do in the town centre.
The survey is running until 5pm on Wednesday 22 December 2021. People can have their say by completing the online survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FZL85TR or by completing hard copies of the survey that are available in King’s Lynn library. There will also be drop-in sessions to share your views on the following dates:
- 12pm – 2pm, Thursday 9 December – Events Office, Tuesday Market Place
- 10am – 12noon, Saturday 11 December – King’s Lynn Library, London Road, King’s Lynn
- 2pm – 4pm, Saturday 11 December – Events Office, Tuesday Market Place
- 10am – 12noon, Thursday 16 December – King’s Lynn Library, London Road, King’s Lynn
There will also be workshops for representatives from the heritage and arts, community and voluntary, and education sectors, as well as businesses in the new year. And, survey participants will also be able to sign up to take part in an online workshop taking place in January.