AN INNOVATIVE development in Seaford which will bring a new library and services for older people under one roof is set to open later this summer.
East Sussex County Council has announced that the facility in Sutton Park Road will open on Tuesday, August 26.
The keys to Seaford’s new £6million community facility have been handed to East Sussex County Council and work has started on installing all the furniture, equipment and resources for the new services.
Cllr Bill Bentley (pictured at the topping out ceremony with Cllr Chris Dowling), the county council’s lead member for adult social care, added: “This innovative project combines three elements; services for older people, a library and supported accommodation for people with learning difficulties.
“This is the first time we have embarked on such a project and it is very exciting to have an opening day in sight. The new facility will be at the heart of the Seaford community and bring many people using a number of different council services together.”
Cllr Chris Dowling, lead member for community service added: “This is a very exciting time for the county council. The building is the first of its kind in the county and demonstrates our ongoing investment in library services.
“Now, after months of hard work, the opening of the new Seaford Library is in sight and residents will soon be able to enjoy their wonderful new facility.”
At the centre of the development will be a café, for which the council is currently looking for an operator, and other facilities include meeting rooms, interactive screens, a teen area, a study room and a roof terrace.
Library services will continue to be offered from the temporary library at Elm Court, in Blatchington Road until Saturday, August 2, when work will begin transferring stock and systems to the new library. Services can be accessed online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries
Until the opening of the new facility, day services will continue to be provided at Homefield Place.
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Notes to editors:
Once complete, Saxon Weald Homes will manage the supported living accommodation.
The scheme will support a new service to offer more direct access to resources in the community for older people with dementia or other mental health problems who have been assessed as needing support to help them live independently.
Individuals and businesses interested in running the new café as a stand-alone business can submit a bid by noon on June 27. Visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sesharedservices to apply or, for more information, call Susan Page on 01273 481787 or by emailing susan.page@eastsussex.gov.uk or Jo Stone on 01273 481512 or by emailing jo.stone@eastsusex.gov.uk