A library that was closed by Harrow Council could reopen by the end of the year after a community group’s business plan was approved.
Campaigners fighting to save North Harrow Library last week learned that their bid to run the facility as a community-run centre has been approved.
The library was one of four across the borough which were closed in June, after Harrow Council made £83 million of cuts to its budget.
A business plan from the Bob Lawrence library campaigners was rejected by the council, but an assessment panel held yesterday decided that the bid put forward by the North Harrow team was sustainable enough to keep the library open.
Kamal Shah, who has led the fight for North Harrow, said: “It’s a step in the right direction because we at least now have a really good chance of opening this year depending on their terms.
“I’m very pleased our business plan was accepted but also worried in a way, because it depends on how much we need to pay back to the council.
“What I’ve been told will happen now is the bid will be sent to the council's legal team to discuss the lease, and then also a service level agreement needs to be signed – but I don’t know the terms of these, so it can only be opened if these are acceptable.
“When we started I didn’t realise it would end up like this, but it is an important facility and we need to keep it open.”
A letter from Harrow council said the group will be awarded with £14,000 to help with set-up costs.
The legal team at Harrow council will now look at the lease and put together a service level agreement, which must be signed by both the campaigners and the council, to ensure the reopening can go ahead.