A bigger, better library, offering a wider range of community activities and events, is coming to Hatfield in a brand new location at the heart of the town centre.
It follows an agreement between Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to move the library to the former Poundworld unit, in White Lion Square. The project is a joint initiative between HCC’s library and public health services and will see the existing library converted into a centre of excellence for sexual health.
The move will support the wider Hatfield 2030+ town centre regeneration plans to secure the town’s future prosperity to 2030 and beyond. Welcoming over 110,000 visitors per year, the library move will drive footfall to this part of town, supporting the work currently underway to transform the public space in White Lion Square.
Councillor Duncan Bell, Executive Member for Resources at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said:
“Today’s announcement is fantastic news. Residents will benefit from better access to more services in much improved community spaces, whilst local businesses will see a significant boost in footfall.
“The services offered at the library will perfectly complement the new features we’re adding to White Lion Square during our improvement works. It’s a really exciting time – and with ambitious proposals in the pipeline for other key sites around the town – it’s great to see our partners sharing our confidence and investing in Hatfield.”
HCC will start work on the former PoundWorld unit this summer, with the library moving in the autumn.