Library shut down 'overnight' in row over 'debt'

A ROW has broken out over the closure of a Liverpool library, of which the city council has taken possession and shut with immediate effect.

- By DAN HAYGARTH

Liverpool City Council said yesterday that it had activated a break clause in its head lease with the building’s owners and taken possession of Breck Road Library in Everton, which is operated by Alt Valley Community Trust (AVCT), and has now closed the building.

The local authority said the lease on the privately-owned building was transferred to AVCT in 2016. A council spokesperson said the decision has been made to close it, as: “AVCT have failed to meet their legal obligation to pay the rent in full, despite being invoiced on a quarterly basis.”

According to the council, no payments were received at all in 2017, 2018, and none have been received for the last five years. In total, there is an outstanding debt of £82,500 in relation to the building, a spokesperson said.