AVELEY Library is set to reopen next week at a brand new location and as part of the new Aveley Community Hub.

The hub which includes the library, a café and activities for local residents will open at 10am on Tuesday, 18 February at its new home in New Maltings, High Street, Aveley, RM15 4BY after closing the doors on its Purfleet Road building for the last time on Saturday 1 February. It joins the new Aveley Community Hub which will initially open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

Young people aged 11 to 17 years are invited to drop in between 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday 18 February and have their say on a new Aveley Youth Project. Thurrock Council's Active Parks team will also hold a fun multi-sports session, subject to weather conditions, for residents of all ages on Thursday 20 February from 11am to 1pm. Hub volunteers will be available on both days to ask residents what services they would like to see at the hub.

Cllr Deborah Huelin, Cabinet Member for Central Services and Communities, said: "This is a new era for Aveley Community Hub including the library and I'm thrilled that so many residents and visitors to Aveley and throughout the borough can benefit from this community inspired space.

"We're updating the technology in all Thurrock libraries, and they have been provided with self-service machines which allow library members to borrow, renew and return items, as well as make payments and book time on public computers.

"It is fantastic that we are working in partnership with groups to ensure the community is at the heart of Aveley's new hub."

Future events at the hub include a volunteer recruitment drop-in session on Thursday 27 February from 11am to 3pm.

For more information on Aveley Community Hub and library visit: thurrock.gov.uk/libraries (click on the red button below)