As Darlington Borough Council reveals plans to keep Crown Street Library open and spend £2m on new facilities, The Northern Echo looks back at the two-and-a-half-years since the closure was originally announced.
February 4, 2016
DARLINGTON Borough Council announces it has no choice but to slash services by £12.5m in a bid to balance the books due to a “sustained attack” from the Government. It says the drastic cuts will affect social services, health, libraries, street cleaning, children’s centres and grass cutting. Crown Street and Cockerton libraries are both earmarked for closure, with a new library in the Dolphin Centre.
February 7, 2016
RELATIVES of Quaker pioneer Edward Pease make an impassioned plea for the historic library to be saved.
February 28, 2016
INTERNATIONAL bestselling authors Anne Fine and Philippa Gregory join the fight to save the library.
March 12, 2016
PROTESTORS gather in their hundreds to show solidarity against the proposed library closures. Crown Street comes to a standstill during the Save Our Library protest, organised by Darlington for Culture (DfC).
March 15, 2016
THE Northern Echo launches a campaign to preserve Crown Street Library for future generations. While sympathising with the council’s financial plight, the campaign urges the authority not to consider disposing of such a magnificent building until every alternative has been fully explored.
The paper urges readers to sign a coupon calling on the authority to think again, and sign an online petition calling on the government to rethink its funding formula.
March 18, 2016
ANNE FINE visits Darlington to sign The Northern Echo’s petition. She says: “Culture is not a train you can get on and off again. They must think of some other way to save money.”
Anne Fine visited Darlington to sign Save Crown Street Library petition PIC: STUART BOULTON
April 7, 2016
THERE is standing room only at a meeting where campaigners set out how to save Darlington’s libraries. The “another way” meeting is organised by John Dean, chairman of DfC and chaired by Nigel Burton, of The Northern Echo.
April 12, 2016
A LOVE lock campaign adorns Crown Street Library’s railings with padlocks and messages of support.
May 11, 2016
THE official Friends of Darlington Library campaign group is launched.
May 31, 2016
A PETITION containing almost 6,500 heartfelt pleas is handed to Darlington Borough Council by The Northern Echo.
The handing over of a petition to Darlington Borough Council in relation to the proposed closure of Crown Street Library in the town. Outside the Town Hall are Cllr Nick Wallis, Northern Echo reporter Jo Morris and Alan Macnab, secretary for the Friends o
June 29, 2016
COUNCILLORS voted through the multi-million pound raft of cuts. Protestors had gathered outside Darlington’s Town Hall and packed its public gallery.
August 16, 2016
A LEGAL challenge is issued by specialist lawyer Michael Imperato claiming the authority’s decision to close the library was taken without due process or proper consultation.
September 6
THE council announces plans to set aside its decision to close the library after a report highlighted the potentially costly legal issues.
October 3 2016
A FRESH consultation is launched into how Darlington’s main library will look once it has moved into the Dolphin Centre.
February 19, 2017
THE closure plan faces another costly delay following a procedural omission. The council’s cabinet acts as trustee for the Grade II-listed building but failed to make a declaration of interest ahead of a vote in January, leaving the authority “open to potential legal challenge”.
March 23, 2018
COUNCILLORS vote in favour of closing the library. Cllr Wallis said “doing nothing is not an option”.
Save Crown Street Library protestors outside Darlington Town Hall prior to a meeting inside the town hall to decide on the future of the library. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
June 2017
A FRESH legal challenge is issued. Using legal aid, campaigners again enlist the help of lawyer Michael Imperato, who questions whether the council’s consultation processes had been legal.
November 2017
A HIGH court judge says there is “just about enough” evidence for him to order further scrutiny following a hearing a Leeds Combined Court.
December 2017
IT emerges the Government is investigating complaints about the pending closure of Crown Street Library. Representatives from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) visit the town to gather evidence.
May 2018
ADA BURNS retires as council chief executive, with Paul Wildsmith becoming managing director.
July 2018
A JUDICIAL review brought by the campaigners against the council is dismissed by a High Court judge. Cllr Nick Wallis says Mrs Justice Phillippa Whipple’s judgement represents a vindication of “the very thorough and careful work that has been undertaken throughout the process”.
Labour's Stephen Harker takes on the role of council leader from Bill Dixon. Cllr Harker says the authority needs to “pause for thought” in relation to the library proposals.
August 2018
COUNCIL officers prepare a report that will be put before the cabinet in September outlining proposals for the future of library services in the town.
September 3, 2018
CLLR Harker reveals plans for the library to stay open.
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