More than 2,000 people have signed a petition protesting at the plans to move the ground floor information centre in Coventry library and turn it into public toilets.

THE LIBRARY THAT COULD BECOME A TOILET

Library users rapidly assembled the protest against the move, and complained that there had been no consultation with staff or the public over the matter.

The information centre was identified as the most suitable city centre location for toilets, following years of complaints at the lack of facilities.

But the choice of the information centre has angered people who say that it is a well-used facility. They fear that if it is moved to the first floor of the library, people will be more reluctant to use it.

Cllr Karen McKay (Socialist, St Michael’s), who presented the petition to last night’s council meeting, asked if there were plans to consult the public over the move.

Cllr Dave Batten, the acting cabinet member in charge of the scheme, said that the announcement of the plans had been the result of a feasibility study into different locations.

He said:

“It’s now a matter of going into the details. I’ve asked that the staff be kept in touch, particularly those in the information centre.

“When the feasibility study was carried out it was with the help and assistance of senior library staff.

“When the detail impacts on the staff their concerns will be responded to. The final decision has not been made. That is a cabinet decision.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Tim Sawdon asked:

“Would it not have been sensible before making the announcement to ask the information staff and the public?”

Cllr Batten responded:

“There’s already a public toilet in the library and the process is to move it so it is more accessible to the people calling for it.”