Book club at risk if Wolverhampton library closes

Pensioners at a popular book club say their group could fold if the proposed closure of a Wolverhampton library goes ahead.

Under-threat Finchfield Library provides a book list for the group and, once one is picked, each of the individual members goes to collect a copy. But the city council has proposed shutting the site.

The proposed closure forms part of the council's plans to save £1.1 million a year by merging libraries and community centres.

The library would be moved nearly one-and-a-half miles away to Bradmore Community Centre.

The council has also mooted a second option where Finchfield Library would be refurbished.

Doreen Luck, who runs Finchfeld Book Club, said she believed the group could fold if the closure went ahead as there is no bus service between the area served by the current library and the community centre.

Mrs Luck, aged 65, of The Dingle, Finchfield, said: "We just won't be able to run it. Members would not be able to pick books up and many can't afford to buy them as they are living off their pension. The club isn't just about books, people socialise and form friendships."

Campaigners have put together a 1,300-name petition against the closure proposal. Pru Coleman, 40, of Studley Road, one of those behind the petition, said the journey to Bradmore would be difficult for mothers with young children and no car.

Cabinet member for leisure and communities, Elias Mattu, said the authority is relaunching a public consultation on its proposals early next month.