CONCERN has been voiced over the proposed closure of Prettygate library in Colchester.

It is among 24 libraries which the council says will close unless it receives a “suitable proposal from a community or partner organisation”.

In these areas it may continue to provide some library services, such as reading and literacy-related activities in other venues or additional mobile library stops.

Colchester MP Will Quince, who lives in Prettygate, said he disagreed with the Tory council.

“There is no question that library use is declining and the way people use libraries is changing.

READ MORE: Essex's libraries face radical shake-up under council plans

“But they still play a hugely important role within communities and in particular somewhere like Prettygate which has a mix of families and an older demographic.”

Conservative Mr Quince said libraries not only improved literacy but helped to tackle loneliness.

While he said he accepted the council’s logic he hoped community members would step forward to offer to save it.

Beverly Davies, Conservative councillor for Prettygate ward, said: “We have our bank closing on November 23 and with the library going as well it is going to rip the whole heart out.

“People say Prettygate is really nice as it still has the feel of a village, and the library really contributes to that.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen to the building. We want to bring local organisations together to see if we can agree on a use for the building that includes community use.

“ It’s really the only community space in Prettygate.

“The library itself has gone down in usage but it’s so much more than just a library.

“We are going to be fighting really hard to keep the building going.”

Julie Young, Labour county councillor for Wivenhoe St Andrew, which includes Wivenhoe library, said: “My immediate reaction is I am very disappointed to hear that the future is uncertain in the county for Essex Libraries.

“I think libraries provide a vital service for communities and they have sought to use libraries in a different way.”

HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF LIBRARIES WHICH ARE EARMARKED FOR CLOSURE

Greenstead Library is also in Mrs Young’s patch but is among those to stay open up to 32 hours a week, supported by volunteers.

Mrs Young added she had been told how community groups currently using some libraries had their had rents put up by the council, which could force them out.

“Yes to getting library services better used but no to making them costly for groups that use them.”