The Central Library in Nottingham city centre(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Number of visitors who visited long-awaited £10.5m Nottingham library in first year revealed

by · NottinghamshireLive

More than a quarter of a million people have used Nottingham's new main library since it opened last year. Nearly 293,000 visitors have stepped through the doors of Nottingham’s Central Library in its first year, Nottingham City Council has revealed.

The flagship library, which was built as part of the wider Broad Marsh redevelopment following the shopping centre's closure and was said to cost £10.5 million, opened its doors in November 2023 and replaced the Angel Row site that closed in 2020. Councillor Sam Lux, who oversees the city's libraries, said: "Nottingham Central Library has become a wonderful cultural hub in the heart of the city. I am thrilled that so many people have visited and attended our events.

"Every day we are busy, with people reading, working, enjoying the café or children’s areas. The events over the last year have been extraordinarily popular, ranging from ballet recitals to rap shows which have drawn in different crowds from across the city."

“The new building hosts a stunning children’s library with an immersive storytelling room that helps bring books to life. It has been so lovely seeing families enjoy these areas and popping outside to use the new play area.

“I believe we have created an exceptional library which caters for everyone in the community. I hope many more people will come down to visit us over the next year.” Council officials said more than 660 events had been hosted at the library, with around 4,500 taking part.

In addition to these events, more than 153,597 books have been borrowed and more than 43,330 hours of computer usage have been logged, with the city council claiming this proved the new main library was an "essential community resource".

The library will be hosting a one-year anniversary of its opening on Saturday, November 30. There will be a party from 10am to 2pm in the children’s area at the library, which will include board games and party games with prizes up for grabs.