Construction work is well underway now for the new Library Hub Staines-upon-Thames, situated at the former Decathlon unit in the Elmsleigh Centre. The extensive refurbishment of this former retail outlet into a sizeable community Library Hub, with investment from Surrey County Council, will provide the residents of Spelthorne with a modern, fully accessible and inclusive space for all to use.
The new hub creates a flagship community space for all, providing public services, support services, and new flexible spaces to host events and activities, all under one roof.
The Library Hub Staines-upon-Thames will host a mix of services including Citizens Advice, Spelthorne Museum, Voluntary Support North Surrey, Surrey County Council registrations service, a new space for the Arts Council England funded Escalate Arts project, and of course a new flagship modern library space.
With doors due to open in Summer 2025, Surrey County Council and partners are hosting an event on Tuesday 22 April between 2pm and 8pm at the existing Staines Library, Friends Walk, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4PG, to provide an opportunity for residents to come along and see for themselves what’s being delivered for Spelthorne.
The hub will provide universal access for all residents through its programme of cultural activities and a focal point for supporting local people with health, wellbeing, employment and digital skills. As well as the key services, the hub will also provide multi-use space for use by third party and community groups.
Within the hub, there is a range of new spaces of different sizes, providing greater capacity for meetings and services, and even larger spaces available for exhibitions and performances. The design is dyslexia, dementia and autism friendly to ensure the hub is accessible for all.
Here’s what the partners working alongside each other said about the new provision in the heart of Spelthorne:
Surrey County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Denise Turner-Stewart said: “This new community space brings to life the very ethos of what Surrey County Council are investing in, in the heart of our communities, at scale. Working alongside partners and residents to reinvigorate town centres to bring services, support and social events and activities all under one roof. This fantastic flagship community space not only hosts a much needed cultural and events facility, with a strong focus on our young people, but offers a community space that can be enjoyed by both young and old. Somewhere that is a focus point for bringing people together in the local area. Delivering on the doorstep of Staines-upon-Thames”
Spelthorne Borough Council Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee Councillor Susan Doran said: “Spelthorne Borough Council have been working closely with Surrey County Council and wider community partners to bring to life an important asset to our borough. A community space that really shows a joint vision of how important services, events and activities can be provided under one roof, for all ages to get support, work, study, rest and play. A space that the residents of Spelthorne can be proud of.”
Spelthorne Museum: “We are delighted by this exciting opportunity to move to a new site even more centrally located in Staines than our current home. The advantages of being within the Library Hub in the Elmsleigh Centre and adjacent to the busy bus station will enable us to share the long history of the Spelthorne area with even more of the community.”
Voluntary Support North Surrey: “We are thrilled to be part of this new project. The new hub will not only allow us to collaborate more closely with local groups but also make us more accessible to the public. With increased visibility, we look forward to engaging with more residents and attracting additional volunteers to support the groups we work with.”
Citizens Advice: “The move to the new Staines Library Hub will mean a larger, more modern office space for our dedicated team of volunteers and staff who provide advice and support to the Spelthorne community – allowing us more space to train additional volunteers so we can provide a wider range of services and increased number of pre-booked client appointments – ultimately supporting more people in need of our help.”
Engagement Event
Come along and find out more on Tuesday 22 April between 2pm and 8pm. See what the plans are looking like and ask any questions you may have. Staines Library, Friends Walk, Staines-upon-Thames TW18 4PG.
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