Manningham Library was reopened to the public on Saturday 4th July.

Fresh from a £1.5 million makeover, people took a look at the new facilities which have been designed to create a more family friendly space.

The space available was limited but does provide an opportunity for a new public space in a highly populated inner city area.

A tough robust design included Woodscape timbers, new sleepers, recycled paving by Marshalls and Resin bound gravels.

Bradford Councils’ Project Architect commented;

“Dale Landscapes carried out the implementation of the design to a high standard under difficult conditions, communication on and off site was excellent and the resolution of problems were carried out quickly and efficiently.”

Planting has been introduced to enable the garden to be a pleasant extension to the library. As part of the development, a garden area has been designed for the community with areas for a food growing project which will be managed by BCEP Bradford Community Environment Project.

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Councils Manningham Family and Community Library Project has been funded by the Big Lottery Communities Libraries Project.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward, attended the event on Saturday, with Ian Clayton, of Yorkshire Television.

A specially commissioned poem was recited to the assembled audience by Bradford’s poet laureate Gerard Benson and a poem by Hafeez Johar was also read.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “Manningham Library is something the community can be really proud of.

“We have worked closely with local people and I am sure they will be really pleased to see the fully refurbished library.

“Manningham Library is already well used by the local community, from children right through to our older residents.

“The new library will hopefully encourage more use.”