Havering Council is delighted to announce the reopening of the Harold Wood Library building, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the area's most valued community assets.
The building, which closed in March 2025, will now return to public use through a community-led model developed by the Harold Wood Foundation.
The partnership will see the building transformed into a vibrant centre for learning, community activity, wellbeing and support services for local residents.
As an Asset of Community Value, Harold Wood Library has long played an important role in supporting education, lifelong learning and community cohesion.
Its reopening represents a major achievement for the local community and demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be delivered when voluntary organisations, residents and local government work together.
Under the Foundation's plans, residents will initially benefit from weekday access to the building, with ambitions to expand opening hours in the future.
Alongside traditional library activities, the building will host a broad range of programmes and services, including literacy support, digital inclusion initiatives, volunteering opportunities, youth activities, wellbeing programmes and support for vulnerable and socially isolated residents.
The Harold Wood Foundation has developed a financially sustainable operating model supported by grant funding, sponsorship, membership schemes and community fundraising.
The arrangement will secure the long-term future of the building while removing ongoing costs to the Council, including annual mothballing costs of approximately £13,000.
Additionally, the lease arrangement is on a full repairing and maintaining basis, meaning the local taxpayer will not retain responsibility for future maintenance costs during the term of the lease.
Councillor Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council, said:
"I welcome the reopening of Harold Wood Library building and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this valued community asset.
"Harold Wood Library has long held a special place in the community, and its reopening represents far more than the return of a building. It restores an important local facility and creates new opportunities for residents to learn, connect and access support.
"Since the Administration took office in May, one of our priorities has been to review the Borough’s libraries and consider opportunities to expand their access through a range of models, including co-location with other community services and through the use of community hubs.
"The Harold Wood Foundation has demonstrated and developed an ambitious and sustainable vision for the future of the building, backed by partners, volunteers and local organisations.
"This community-led approach will help ensure the library remains a vibrant centre for learning, wellbeing and community activity for many years to come.
"I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and hard work in bringing this project forward.
"I warmly welcome the reopening of Harold Wood Library and look forward to seeing it once again at the heart of community life."
The reopening supports the Council's The Havering Plan 2040 ambitions to promote stronger communities, improve wellbeing and help residents live independent, connected and fulfilling lives.
The Council has announced its intention to proceed with the decision to reopen the Harold Wood Library building, which will now progress through the Council's formal decision-making process.
An unsigned decision notice will be published on 15 October, followed by publication of the signed decision notice on 22 October, which will trigger the statutory call-in period.
During this time, Councillors may request further scrutiny of the decision in accordance with the Council's governance arrangements.
If no valid call-in requests are received, the call-in period will expire at midnight on 28 October, after which the decision will take effect.