First look inside Plymouth’s new Central Library

The design company working on the fit-out of Plymouth’s new Central Library have released images showing what the interior will look like.

thedesignconcept have been working with the Council and Claremont Interiors, who are refurbishing the building, to create a more modern and flexible space in the heart of the city centre.

Located on the corner of Armada Way and Mayflower Street, the new library is due to open at the end of March and this is the first chance for people to see what it will look like inside.

As well as books, DVDs, free computer access and Wi-Fi it will have meeting rooms, a digital and training suite, study spaces, kiosk style café and a roof terrace with views over the city.

The ground floor will have books, comfortable seating areas and computers, as well as a children’s area with a tree centrepiece, seating for rhymetimes and a buggy park.

On the first floor will be a large meeting room, which can be booked by local groups and organisations, a study space and more computers, along with the café and access to the roof terrace.

New windows have been fitted and the interior is starting to take shape, with internal walls now up and meeting rooms in place. The electrical wiring and data points are being installed, along with some of the joinery that will form part of the new space. 

Councillor Jon Taylor, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Transformation said: “As a co-operative council, we wanted to involve as many people as possible in shaping plans for the new library and their feedback has been invaluable. We've shared all the ideas and suggestions that came from our talks with library staff, customers and local organisations and thedesignconcept have used them to create a really exciting, vibrant new library."

Staff will be at the Armada Centre from 1pm to 3pm on National Libraries Day (Saturday 6 February) to show people the plans and answer questions.

The new library will replace the current library in Drake Circus and help to make way for the £32 million History Centre, which is due to open in 2020.