IT is now a question of when and not if Pershore Library will move away from the town centre after the county council confirmed it was no longer economically viable to maintain it in its current location.

Worcestershire County Council said the costs of maintaining the building, in Church Street, were in line with what is expected for one which is more than 30 years old. It was built in 1976.

The council revealed that over the last five years it had spent £69,000 on maintaining it and expected to have to spend another £134,000 over the next five years.

Councillor Philip Gretton, the county council’s cabinet member for adult community services, said: “Given the level of savings that Worcestershire County Council needs to make we simply cannot afford the repairs to enable us to keep the library in its current location.”

In particular, the council said the heating and electrical systems needed attention, including the replacement of some major components.

The external fabric of the building was also flagged up as being of concern, and that the poor condition of the roof had been worsened by vandalism. The current round of consultation is to investigate the options for a new location for the library.

Coun Gretton said: “We are open to suggestions and one viable option may be to move it to the Civic Centre. At this stage however, no decisions will be made until the consultation ends.”

Questionnaires are available from the library, Pershore Town Hall, the Civic Centre, at worcestershire.gov.uk/ libraries or by calling the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765765 before April 22.