Date set for Stratford Library re-opening

Stratford-upon-Avon Library will re-open to the public on 12 July following a major refurbishment project.

Since leaving its historic home on Henley Street, the library service has been operating temporary out of the ArtsHouse on Rother Street, though this will finish on 24 June.

The registration service will continue at Winton House until 12th July when Birth and Death Registration will move to Henley Street, while wedding ceremonies will remain at Winton House until September this year.

The library will have an improved look and longer opening hours, while the registration service will include a brand new ceremony room for weddings. The ceremony space, called The Henley Room, will have a separate entrance to the library and will be used for marriages for up to 35 guests, as well as library activities such as author events.

The room also unlocks a historic and fascinating part of the building - the former entrance to Stratford’s Technical School - which dates back to the late 1800s.

The historic building will enable couples to get married in a landmark location next door to Shakespeare’s Birthplace. The refurbished building also includes two self-contained offices for the registration of births, deaths and legal notices of marriage.

The refurbished building will be open for longer hours, 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, and 10am to 3pm on Saturday.

Cllr Kam Kaur, cabinet portfolio holder for customer and transformation, at Warwickshire County Council said: “The historic building at Henley Street starts a new chapter as Stratford’s Registration Service moves to join the library at the site. As well as providing an excellent new library facility and an historic setting for weddings, the move also allows Warwickshire County Council to deliver better value for money with the two services operating from one building.”

If you would like to be one of the first to get married at this historic location, go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/weddings

There will be a brief time when Stratford Library is closed (from 24th June - 12th July) to allow the transfer of the library from the ArtsHouse, to the newly refurbished building at Henley Street. During this period, library users can find an alternative local library here: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries

For concessionary bus pass enquiries call 01926 359180, or visit Alcester Library, Shipston upon Stour Library, or Shire Hall in Warwick.

For updates on the new library go to http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordlibrary.