Fears Idea Store expansion will see the closure of historic East End libraries
TORY councillors fear the expansion of Idea Stores will pave the way for the closure of historic libraries in the East End. But Tower Hamlets council insists there are no plans to close existing libraries
Else Kvist
TORY councillors fear the expansion of Idea Stores will pave the way for the closure of historic libraries in the East End.
But Tower Hamlets council officers insist there are no plans to close existing libraries and that any future closures would have to be approved by councillors.
The ruling Labour cabinet last week ordered council officers to look into opening three to four so-called 'Idea Stores local'. The four existing Idea Stores would become known as anchor stores.
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The locations being looked at for the new smaller libraries include a future 'multi use' town centre at Crossharbour on the Isle of Dogs. Tory councillor Phil Briscoe fears this could "spell the end of road" for the nearby Cubitt Town Library.
The other locations being earmarked for Idea Stores include Bethnal Green, which already has a historical library near the station, Watney Market and Bromley-by-Bow.
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