Have your say on hub and library opening hours

Opening hours at the hubs and libraries had been reduced in previous years due to financial pressures and lower visitor figures on evenings, however some people have subsequently been unable to get to the venues during the current hours.

Hartlepool Borough Council is therefore reviewing the opening hours with the aim of adjusting them to better reflect people’s needs and preferences.

The opening hours wouldn’t be increased or decreased, but instead redistributed across times that are more convenient for residents.

To help inform the review, the Council is asking people to complete a short survey to help it better understand which of the town’s hubs or branch libraries they prefer to visit and on which days and times.

The survey – which runs until Monday 17th June – is available online at yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/community-hubs-opening-hours. Alternatively, printed copies of the survey are available at all Hartlepool’s hubs and libraries.

It also gives people the opportunity to tell the Council what else they would like to see taking place at the hubs and libraries and how they hear about the existing activities.

In a special pilot, Community Hub Central in York Road is now opening later on Wednesday evenings until 8pm, giving people more time to enjoy lots of great activities including Fab Lab sessions, a weight management group, homework groups and much more – plus of course the library.

Jill Harrison, the Council’s Executive Director of Adult and Community-Based Services, said: “We would very much encourage people to take part in the survey.

“These venues play a really important role in the community, providing a safe, welcoming space for residents to enjoy a wide range of fun activities as well as build their skills, use the library facilities and – not least – socialise and enjoy some company.

“We want to make sure they are as accessible as possible to people at times that best suit their needs, so please give us your views and also let us know what you think of our Wednesday late opening pilot.”