Polegate Community Library CIC Update March 2026

Progress Update: Polegate Community Library

Polegate Town Council is delighted to share an exciting update on the development of our new Community Library, now officially underway.

A Community Interest Company (CIC) has been established to run the library, and a full team of directors has been appointed to oversee its governance and long‑term sustainability. The Council has also agreed that the Library CIC will use the room at the back of 51 High Street as the main library space, with an additional secure container being placed in the car park for book storage.

We are pleased to confirm that the project already has a dedicated team in place, including a Librarian, Volunteer Co‑ordinator, Secretary, and Treasurer. A group of enthusiastic volunteers are also supporting the early stages of development, helping with preparations both day‑to‑day and behind the scenes. Once the building works are complete, we will be inviting further day‑to‑day library volunteers to join us and help bring the space to life.

To ensure the library is welcoming and accessible to all, several important improvements will be carried out over the coming months. These include installing a wider entrance door, an accessible toilet, and an access ramp. We are also awaiting planning permission for air‑conditioning units, which will allow us to replace the existing radiators and make the space more comfortable year‑round.

We are extremely grateful to East Sussex Library Service for gifting us a set of high‑quality shelving, which will be incorporated into the refurbished library room ready for our grand opening. While we had hoped to progress more quickly, some aspects of the project, such as grant applications and planning requirements, have taken a little longer than anticipated. However, these steps are essential to ensuring we deliver a safe, accessible, and well‑equipped community facility.

Looking ahead, we are exploring ways to expand our facilities for summer events, helping to create a vibrant programme of activities for families and residents.

The Library CIC already has a Facebook presence, and once construction and fit‑out works are fully underway, we will begin sharing regular updates there, as well as on the Town Council website and social media channels. We look forward to keeping the community informed as the project progresses.