Campaigners have been out in force in Lichfield after plans were unveiled to move the city’s library.
Staffordshire County Council has proposed switching the facility to St Mary’s in the Market Square with the current site at The Friary then being converted into residential accommodation.
An online petition organised by members of the Lichfield and Burntwood Green Party has already gathered almost 1,800 signatures.
But campaigners have been in Lichfield city centre gathering more names.
“The response has been excellent so far,” a spokesperson said. “People are passionate about keeping The Friary away from the developers and in public hands.”
Staffordshire County Council say the building needs around £1.4million of repairs meaning the library would need to move.
Cllr Ian Parry, the council’s deputy leader, said: “Instead of leaving buildings mothballed or allowing them to fall into disrepair, we have a county wide programme aimed at breathing new life into surplus and underused buildings to bring new jobs, homes and fresh investment into the county.
“Our review of buildings has been in the public domain for some time and, given our proposals in Lichfield, will not only allow residents to benefit from a more central ground floor library, but will also safeguard the future of The Friary building, which is need of almost £1.4million of repairs.
“It is a little surprising that the Green Party should suddenly object.”
