Luke Pollard MP Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Luke Pollard MP and Councillor Mark Coker are calling for Devonport Library to open full time, as part of a new drive to see more public spaces open for residents keep warm over the winter.
Devonport Library, located in St Aubyn’s Church on Chapel Street, is currently only open between 9am-5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays but campaigners want to see the library open six days a week.
Luke believes the valued library is a key part of the community and an important public space for residents to keep warm. The MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport wants the public to have greater use of the free services provided by the library as the cost of living crisis continues to hit families in Plymouth hard.
Devonport Library currently serves the community with books for loan, laptops and computers to use, free Wi-Fi, printers and meeting rooms available to hire. It is also home to the local job club.
Mark Coker, the Devonport councillor who started the campaign, has praised the “enormous” response the campaign has generated on the doorstop.
Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said:
“We know the winter’s going to be very tough for people in Plymouth, many of whom are struggling with their energy bills, so it is vital communities like Devonport have a safe and warm place to go.
“I’ve fought against council cuts to keep libraries open. The City Council hasn’t closed Devonport’s library, the problem is they simply don’t open it. It needs to be open properly over winter so local residents can access the facilities and help stay warm.”
Mark Coker, Councillor for Devonport Ward, said:
“Devonport library is the hub of our community and being open only two days a week is simply not good enough.
“The library serves our community in so many ways across all age groups. We’ve had an enormous response on the doorstop.
“We demand parity with other areas and want our library open five days a week.”
Plymouth City Council need to keep public spaces like Devonport Library open full time.
Let's help keep Plymouth's residents warm this winter.
— Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) September 21, 2022