MOVING Stourport’s library into the planned multi-use hub at the town’s Civic Centre will help residents “really make the most” of the revamped site, organisers say.

Library owner Worcestershire County Council has agreed to run the civic centre with Stourport Town Council and the Civic group charity, which will manage the theatre hall.

The county council organised an engagement event for Stourport residents and library users at the current facility in the County Buildings, Worcester Street, at the end of last month and positive feedback was generated.

John Caldwell, chairman of the Civic group, said: “I have been with the plans as they developed and seeing them as they are now, so far everybody has been on board with the project.

“I think it is going to be a fantastic move for the site as a whole. We are looking forward to working with the county council and the library to really make the most out of the site and that seems to be the general consensus.”

Following the engagement event, jon cooper wrote on The Shuttle website: “I am personally very pleased the civic centre complex is at long last under the ownership of a responsible body of organisations.

“Without any doubt whatsoever, if the Civic Centre was pulled, Stourport would have lost forever the services and arts facilities the town and wider district have relied on for many years.”

The revamped centre will also include offices, business start-up rooms, meeting rooms, an Age UK Wyre Forest office and the Worcestershire Coroner’s Service, including the court which will be in the former council chamber.

The Civic Centre’s future was secured in September, nearly a year after being vacated by Wyre Forest District Council. It is due to undergo a £1.35 million refurbishment while the County Buildings will be put on the market for £500,000.