Southampton City Council stands with the city of Liverpool: Bring Back the Light campaign

Southampton’s libraries will be taking part in the nationwide ‘Bring Back the Light’ campaign by illuminating the building purple on Wednesday 11 December

In the summer of 2024, civil disorder saw the destruction of Liverpool’s Spellow Library and Community Hub. The library was set alight. This resulted in a vital neighbourhood asset being temporarily lost.

Following months of hard work and overwhelming community support, Spellow Library will reopen its doors to the public on Thursday 12 December 2024.

The night before the opening, Southampton’s libraries will be part of a wave of light across the country, showing solidarity with the people of Liverpool and spotlighting the essential role libraries play in the cultural fabric of the UK’s towns, cities and villages.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council said:

“I have seen first-hand the impact our libraries have on our communities, which is why I was disturbed by the scenes in Liverpool earlier this year. Libraries are essential for learning, tackling loneliness, and so much more. With this partnership, we aim to reinforce the importance of libraries as a sanctuary of knowledge and all the fantastic opportunities they provide for our residents and visitors.

“The City of Liverpool have shown true resilience, and I am so pleased that Spellow Library and Community Hub can re-open next week. I’m very proud to be standing with Liverpool City Council and taking part in ‘Bring Back the Light’.”