NewRiver ‘delighted’ as Burgess Hill Library wins award

The library, which opened in December last year, has provided the town with a new, high quality and accessible community hub complete with all the critical services that a modern town centre library demands.

This includes a public computer area, space for community groups, a new lift and a dedicated children’s zone.

The new library also features the first Changing Places disabled toilet facility in the town centre, a key design revision that was introduced as a result of listening to community feedback during NewRiver’s public open day.

The award was presented in recognition of the library’s fundamental role in creating an accessible hub for reading, digital support and a place for the community to come together.

A further five Public and Community Awards were presented to similar projects across Sussex.

Justin Thomas, director for NewRiver, told the Middy: “We are delighted to have received this recognition for the new Burgess Hill Library, which is a strong example of a facility designed with and for the local community and delivered in close working partnership with West Sussex County Council.

“We are very proud of the result, and believe this new facility creates a stunning community focal point in the heart of our proposed regeneration programme.”

The new library was delivered as part of NewRiver’s wider plans for a £65million regeneration of The Martlets in Burgess Hill to create a vibrant retail and leisure destination for the local community.

Investing in the new library was an important early step to prepare the town centre site for redevelopment, the developer said.

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for fire and rescue and communities, said: “Since Burgess Hill Library opened a year ago, we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from visitors who have been captivated by the up-to-date and modern facilities on offer.

“All of our libraries have the local community at the heart of everything they do, but the light and spacious atmosphere afforded at Burgess Hill and the addition of a Changing Places disabled toilet facility makes it stand out as a marvellous multi-purpose facility for individuals, local groups, families and students to enjoy, even in these very difficult times we find ourselves in.”