Plans to redevelop Sherwood's "out-of-date" library into a new facility with homes, shops and a police contact point have been welcomed.
The development in Spondon Street, off Mansfield Road in the heart of Sherwood, is owned by Nottingham City Council and includes former social services offices, public toilets, a car park and three retail units, as well as the existing library.
The city council and residents in the area say the buildings are in a poor state of repair and the library doesn’t meet the standards now expected by library users.
The city council is working to identify a developer to buy and develop the site.
Local residents said the development was looking "old" and the plans would encourage more people to use the Sherwood High Street.
Sales Assistant Yolanda Burham, 38, of Woodthorpe said: “I think the new library development will give more opportunities to the people who live in the area. If they’re going to open shops alongside the library, it means there will be jobs available to the people who live here.”
Mechanic Connor Rowley, 36, of Sherwood said: “You don’t even know it’s there. It looks like it’s been abandoned. Sherwood definitely needs some form of new development and I think this will attract more people into the High Street.”
Officials hope a redeveloped site would be more energy efficient and economical to run.
The public toilets at the site will be retained and a new public car park will replace the existing one.
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Seema Parkeh, 32, of Forest Fields said: “I’ve noticed the library has been looking old for a long time and was wondering when they were going to sort it. I don’t personally use the library, but I think it’s a great development for people who do use it.
"I think it would be great for Sherwood too if they’re building new shops and houses."
Rebecca Carr, 25, of Sherwood said: “The idea of having new shops and houses is good, but I don’t see the need for a new library when people barely use it.”
Doris Parker, 62, of Carrington added: “I don’t really see the importance of building a new library as whenever I walk past it always seems empty, but that’s probably because people are put off with how it looks.”
There are two alternative public car parks available nearby on Winchester Street and Hall Street for use during the works.
Nottingham City Council’s corporate director for Development and Growth, Chris Henning, said: “Sherwood Library is past its economic life and no longer comes up to the expectations of library users.
"Developing a brand new library will create a much better facility for the local community, alongside a new police contact point.
“By selling this site to a developer under the arrangements we’ve agreed, we gain a new library at no cost to council taxpayers.”
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