Ribbon cut to officially mark reopening of refurbished facility.

A new chapter has begun for Harwich Library, with the community coming together to celebrate its grand reopening following a stunning £1.16 million refurb.

The event not only marked the unveiling of the beautifully refurbished space, but also the start of wider investment in the area. This is creating new opportunities for learning, celebrating local culture and driving economic growth.

Councillor Mark Durham, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture, officially opened the library. The event was also attended by the Mayor of Harwich and councillors and officers from both Essex County Council and Tendring District Council.

The refurbished library now boasts expanded spaces for events, workshops, and author visits. There is also a broader collection of books, e-books, and multimedia resources.

During the opening day, visitors enjoyed a coffee morning and a special maths session hosted by Adult Community Learning (ACL) Essex.

ACL Essex has joined the library, bringing a fantastic range of adult education opportunities to the heart of the community.

From Maths, English, ESOL and IT skills to mental health programmes and family learning activities, ACL is helping residents of all ages embrace lifelong learning.

ACL’s team is based on the mezzanine floor and available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to support learners.

The library’s transformation is part of a wider £9 million investment in Dovercourt Town Centre.

This regeneration programme is focussed on revitalising public spaces, stimulating local businesses, and creating new opportunities for residents to make Dovercourt a great place to live, work and learn.

Celebrations will continue throughout October with events for all ages. These include:

Author Talk with Glynis Peters: Tuesday 21 Oct - 5.30pm to 7pm

Rhythm, Rhyme & Rap with Christian Foley: Saturday 25 Oct

- Ages five to nine - 10am to 11am

- Ages 10+ - 12pm to 1pm

Everyone is welcome - please visit the Harwich Library website for full details.

Councillor Mark Durham Essex County Council Cabinet member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the newly refurbished library and see how the transformed space is already making a difference.

“The fresh, modern facilities are welcoming and clearly being enjoyed by residents already. Hearing their positive feedback and seeing the library come alive with activity was truly inspiring.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how this lively community hub continues to grow and support local people.”

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Press release issued on behalf of Essex County Council

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