Work Begins on Sidcup’s New Library and Cinema

November 8, 2019
Plans to regenerate Sidcup’s town centre with a new library and cinema are moving forward. Demolition has started on the site which was formerly the old Blockbuster building.

DRDH Architects Ltd were appointed at the end of last year following a competitive tendering process. Their designs for the new building were well received by local people at an engagement event in April and the planning application for the scheme was approved in early October. The library will be on the ground floor of the new building, with the cinema above.

“I’m delighted that work is starting. Our aim is to diversify what the town centre has to offer, with less reliance on retail and more to attract visitors,” said Councillor Peter Craske, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Places. “Working with partners we want to make Sidcup a hub for cultural activities, so it’s an even greater place to live and visit, and where local businesses can prosper and grow.”

“This is great news for library users and for Sidcup as a whole. The new library will be in a modern, state-of-the-art building. It will be more accessible with better facilities and being co-located will enable exciting new collaborative opportunities with the cinema.”

The construction of the new building will start in early 2020 and it is scheduled to open by the end of 2021.