A BRIGHT new look and additional meeting room will help give a library a welcome makeover.

Westcliff Library, in London Road, is set for a major refurbishment that will reinvent the layout of the main library.

The work will create a new welcoming area for customers with a new front desk and there will also be a private meeting room available for hire.

Ann Holland, Southend councillor for culture, said: “Westcliff Library will be undergoing a major refurbishment and redecoration that will give it a new lease of life.

“As part of this, a new meeting room is being created, which will be available for community hire from May.

“The meeting room will facilitate business gatherings or community groups in a safe local space and will provide a great way to meet up with friends or colleagues. Other work being carried out will include a new welcome desk, new flooring throughout, new signage, a complete rewiring, new lighting including emergency lighting. We apologise for any inconvenience to customers but hope the wait is worth it.”

The library will close for the work at 5pm on Saturday and will reopen on Monday, April 3 at 9am.

While the library is closed residents are being urged to use the nearest branches, including Leigh Library, on Broadway West, or users can also visit the Forum, Elmer Square, Southend.

All library users are able to renew items online at southend.gov.uk/libraries or by phoning 01702 534151. Items can be returned to any Southend or Essex library while Westcliff is closed.

It is suggested that anyone reserving items for collections should change the pick-up location to one of the other local library branches.

Library staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist library users and answer any questions regarding loans and renewals.