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The Greater London Herald logoThe Greater London Herald

Harold Wood Library Reopens Under Community-Led Model

Havering Council announces the return of the valued community asset, now managed by the Harold Wood Foundation, offering learning and wellbeing services.

Generic image of a traditional red-brick library building with large windows and an entrance, under a slightly overcast sky.
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Generic image of a traditional red-brick library building with large windows and an entrance, under a slightly overcast sky.

The Havering Council has announced the reopening of Harold Wood Library, following a community-led model developed by the Harold Wood Foundation, transforming it into a centre for learning and community activities.

The Harold Wood Library building has officially reopened its doors, marking a new era for the community facility. The library, which had closed in March 2025, will now operate under a community-led model managed by the Harold Wood Foundation. This partnership aims to establish the building as a dynamic hub for learning, community engagement, wellbeing, and support services for local residents.
Recognised as an Asset of Community Value, Harold Wood Library has historically played a significant role in fostering education, lifelong learning, and community cohesion. Its reopening is considered a substantial accomplishment for the local community, highlighting the positive results achievable through collaboration between voluntary organisations, residents, and local government.
Initially, the Harold Wood Foundation plans to offer weekday access to the building, with aspirations to extend opening hours in the future. Beyond traditional library services, the centre will host a diverse array of programmes, including literacy support, digital inclusion initiatives, volunteering opportunities, youth activities, wellbeing programmes, and support for vulnerable and socially isolated individuals.
The Foundation has established a financially sustainable operating model, drawing support from grant funding, sponsorships, membership schemes, and community fundraising efforts. This arrangement is set to secure the building's long-term future while eliminating ongoing costs for the Council, including approximately £13,000 in annual mothballing expenses. Furthermore, the lease agreement is on a full repairing and maintaining basis, absolving the local taxpayer of future maintenance responsibilities during the lease term.
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"I welcome the reopening of Harold Wood Library building and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this valued community asset. Harold Wood Library has long held a special place in the community, and its reopening represents far more than the return of a building. It restores an important local facility and creates new opportunities for residents to learn, connect and access support. Since the Administration took office in May, one of our priorities has been to review the Borough’s libraries and consider opportunities to expand their access through a range of models, including co-location with other community services and through the use of community hubs. The Harold Wood Foundation has demonstrated and developed an ambitious and sustainable vision for the future of the building, backed by partners, volunteers and local organisations. This community-led approach will help ensure the library remains a vibrant centre for learning, wellbeing and community activity for many years to come. I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and hard work in bringing this project forward. I warmly welcome the reopening of Harold Wood Library and look forward to seeing it once again at the heart of community life."

Councillor Keith Prince AM · Leader of Havering Council
The reopening aligns with the Council's The Havering Plan 2040 ambitions to foster stronger communities, enhance wellbeing, and support residents in leading independent, connected, and fulfilling lives. The Council has formally indicated its intention to proceed with the decision to reopen the Harold Wood Library building, which will now undergo the Council's official decision-making procedures. An unsigned decision notice is scheduled for publication on 15 October, followed by the signed notice on 22 October, initiating a statutory call-in period. During this period, Councillors may request further scrutiny of the decision. If no valid call-in requests are received, the period will conclude at midnight on 28 October, at which point the decision will take effect.
Based on information from the official source: London Borough of Havering (15/10/2026)

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