Volunteers of a community-run library in Corby have said they are unable to pay the bills for the council-owned building after their peppercorn rent was upped.

Saved from closure in 2019, Danesholme Library had been under threat of closure as part of Northamptonshire County Council’s cost-cutting plans handing over 17 libraries to community groups.

Corby's community-run Danesholme library starts new chapter

Danesholme Communicare Association took on the five-year lease to run the service taking over responsibility from the now defunct county council in the building owned by Corby Borough Council – an arrangement and building inherited by North Northants Council (NNC).

But increased financial pressures including a hike in rent by NNC and spiralling electricity bills led Danesholme Communicare Association to withdraw.

Association member Chris Stanbra campaigned to keep Danesholme Library open, but now admits the annual income needed to cover costs would be more than £10,000 including £1,000 a month on outdated storage heaters.

He said: “The lease was for a peppercorn rent which came to an end in February 2025. We were asked if we would be interested in renewing at an increased rent of over £4k a year offering a discount. But there’s other overheads of about £8k to £10k a year – electricity, water, business rates and the costs of the alarm systems.

"The rent the council wanted to charge was the final nail in the coffin. We said we no longer wished to pursue the lease, which brought matters to a head.”

Flashback to 2020 when Chris Stanbra accepted the keys to the Danesholme Library from Anne Lovely Northants County Council/UGC

It was hoped the library could be moved to a room in the nearby Danesholme Community Centre, but the space’s flat roof has been leaking and requires repairing. It is also owned by NNC.

Mr Stanbra said: “I’m not levelling criticism at the library service, but the council's property people dealing with rents and repairs have not covered themselves in glory.

"It’s a shame. It’s a small neighbourhood library and it would be good to keep it open. There are several hundred people would use it and sadly it looks like it won’t be here much longer. Most people will use the one in the town centre now.

"The whole committee is disappointed and the volunteer group is disappointed but unless someone comes up with the money to pay the bills, that’s it.”

Library volunteers have said they would like to continue to offer the library service to the community and will be looking at grants to improve the heating and bring down costs.

They are also looking for the possibility of sponsorship and fundraising.

Anyone interested in helping can contact library manager Steven by emailing [email protected].

A spokesperson for North Northants Council said: “A volunteer group have been running Danesholme Library since 2020, under our Community Managed Library programme.

“Unfortunately, due to a number of factors including a lack of volunteers (resulting in a reduction of opening hours) and a very low number of visitors to the library compared to other community managed libraries, the decision has been taken by the community group that they cannot continue to run the library.

“We are looking at other options to maintain a presence in the area, including a community book swap at a nearby café.

“Residents can still access the council run library at the Cube in Corby town centre.”

Leader of Corby Town Council Cllr Simon Rielly has urged NNC to invest in Danesholme’s community assets for the estate’s residents.

He said: “The closure of Danesholme Library is another significant blow for a community that has already lost so much. Residents have seen the Talisman pub stand empty for two years following the fire, Pine Lodge close, and now their library has shut its doors.

“I am also concerned by reports that North Northamptonshire Council is seeking an annual rental charge of around £5,500 for the building. If that figure is correct, we need to ask whether everything possible has been done to support the continuation of this valued community asset.

“Libraries are about much more than books. They provide access to information, learning, digital services and a welcoming space for people of all ages. Their value to a community cannot simply be measured in financial terms.

“The message from the recent community listening session in Danesholme was loud and clear. Residents feel their community is being left behind.They want investment, they want ambition and they want a plan for the future.

“Danesholme deserves better. It’s time for all partners to come together and develop a regeneration plan that brings life back to the area, supports local businesses, protects community facilities and restores pride in the neighbourhood.

“The conversation has started now we need action.”