Speech by Liverpool City Council Leader at the reopening of Spellow Library

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, has spoken at the reopening of Spellow Community Hub and Library. This is what he said to the guests….

It is fantastic to be here in Spellow Library Hub on this momentous day, for this reopening celebration.

On Saturday 3 August, we saw the very worst of humankind as this building was set ablaze by a rioting mob with absolutely no thought for the community who cherish the services that it provides.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to our emergency services, who put themselves on the line to contain the rioting and prevent the situation from being much, much worse.

It is important we reflect that, in the aftermath of the dreadful scene, we then saw the very best of people.

Local residents who got up early on a Sunday morning and came out to help our staff with the clean-up operation.

The thousands of people from around the country – ordinary citizens through to celebrities – who donated to Alix McCormick’s incredible fundraising effort, which has seen a quarter of a million pounds raised.

Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who donated books to our libraries service.

High profile figures from the worlds of arts, culture and politics who have beaten a path to this building to meet local people and find out more about the work of this library.

So while the eyes of the world were on us for the wrong reasons, they also saw all that is right with our community.

Last night we held a spectacular lantern parade for the local community, with more than 200 people taking part.

It was a joyous and moving celebration that brought people together.

Some of the young people who took part are here this morning.

They are hugely passionate about their local area, the importance of this building.

They are bright, articulate and – crucially – they are the future of this area.

Spellow Library Hub is the beating heart of Walton – a place not just to borrow books…but to meet others, share experiences and learn new skills.

I’d like to thank all of those who have worked so hard over the last few months to put this building back together, even better than it was before.

It is hard to believe the transformation that has taken place in such a short space of time.

It is now ready to welcome the local community once again. 

Today marks a new beginning for Spellow Library and Hub.

We also want this to be a new beginning for the wider area.

This is a great community with tremendous spirit – but like many communities, it has its challenges.

Working with local residents, we are absolutely committed to tackling them.

The reopening of Spellow Library Hub marks the start of that journey, which we will be saying more about in the coming weeks and months. It just leaves me to say that: After the darkness of the fire, I am delighted to say that we have now let in the light.