East Riding Wicstun Centre opens

The East Riding Wicstun Centre – Market Weighton's new Library and Customer Service Centre – opens on Saturday.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council hopes the new centre, which cost £900,000, will increase the number of annual visits to the library from 16,000 to more than 35,000.

The combined centre on Beverley Road means visitors can borrow books at the same time as using council services, including paying bills, inspecting planning applications and getting help with filling in forms.

The new library has self-service technology for people who want to take out their own items, has doubled the number of computers compared to the former library and will stock 11,000 books and other items, compared to the 6,000 stocked before.

The centre will open for 45 hours per week, compared to 14 hours at the former library on Princess Road. It will be open from 9am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 9am to 8pm on Wednesday, 9am to 4.30pm on Friday and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

East Riding Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for libraries, said: "The Wicstun Centre will give residents an increased choice of books and other items in a modern, comfortable and welcoming environment.

"We are confident the people of Market Weighton and the surrounding area will be thrilled by the new facilities."

Councillor Jonathan Owen, portfolio holder for policy, performance and partnerships, said: "East Riding of Yorkshire Council always wants to respond to people's needs and move with the times. Our centres are at the forefront in terms of technology and comfort and design, with the user in mind."

The Wicstun Centre will be officially opened by chairman of the council, Councillor Barbara Jefferson, on Monday at noon.

arvato government services will run the centre as part of the public private partnership with East Riding council. The existing library, on Princess Road, closed yesterday.

Joan Todd, the library supervisor, retired when the library shut. She said she would miss the Princess Road site and had seen generations of the same families use the library.

Mrs Todd said: "I've been here on contract 17-and-a-half years, longer than that all together. I've seen little ones grow up and bring little ones of their own. Customers have become friends. I will still see people."

Work is expected to start in the summer on Pocklington library.