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Two weeks ago the Free Press revealed that St Asaph Library will close all day on Thursdays, starting in October, as part of the county council's cost saving measures.

And last week the Mayor of St Asaph, Cllr Elsie Powell, slammed the reduction in opening hours saying that "cutting library hours is not the answer".

She also warned other Denbighshire residents to be aware that just because libraries in the south of the county had escaped a reduction in their hours, it didn't necessarily mean they would be safe from cuts in the future.

Now Denbighshire County Council chairman Cllr Raymond Bartley has voiced his sympathy for the town.

"I do feel sympathy for St Asaph – and indeed Rhyl and Rhuddlan – libraries which have all been affected," he said.

"We have to remember that these libraries are so much more than books.

"Here in Denbigh our library acts as a community centre, a tourist office, a gallery and a one stop shop.

"Thankfully our library has escaped cuts this time, but we have set up a working group here to make sure that cuts do not affect us in the future.

"St Asaph now needs to keep an eye on how the cuts to the opening hours effects residents.

"They should monitor the library over the months following the reduction in hours and if there is a detrimental effect they should go back to the county council and tell them.

"Unfortunately all services are at risk as we have to make budget cuts because of the poor funding settlement we received from the Welsh Assembly," he added.


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