Covingham Library will not re-open after lockdown is lifted.

A notice posted by the Friends of Covingham Library, which ran the facility in St Paul’s Drive, said: “It is with much regret that we announce the permanent closure of Covingham Community Library.

“Swindon Community Library Trust has endeavoured over the last few years to keep the library open, and although the Friends of Covingham Library have worked tirelessly to secure funding it has been impossible to raise the money needed to meet the running costs to keep the library open.

“Like many other groups, we have been affected by coronavirus. The library has not been allowed to open since March.

“We have been unable to do any fundraising this year, and probably not for the foreseeable future.

“We would like to thank everyone, past and present, that has supported the library in whatever capacity. We cannot forget the generations of families that have used the library in the last 50 years."

The Friends’ volunteers have been running the library since the start of the year after Covingham Parish Council decided to keep back the grant it had been making to Swindon Community Library Trust last year. The trust also runs the library in Liden.

A trust spokesman said: “It’s well known that grant funding for Covingham Library ended nearly two years ago.

“Covid-19 has meant there has been no fundraising possible in the last nine months and most volunteers are retired or in at-risk groups. It isn't an easy decision for the Friends to make but one that we all understand.

“Once the Covid vaccine has been rolled out next year we will see what can be done to relaunch a new Covingham library."

Covingham councillor Dale Heenan is also the cabinet member for culture and heritage.

He said: "The Friends of Covingham Library have been instrumental in supporting Covingham Library, and without their efforts the it would have closed years ago. A big thank you."

His sentiments were echoed by fellow ward councillors Kevin and Barbara Parry.

They said: "We are extremely disappointed to hear this news. We would like to pay thanks to the Friends of Covingham Library.

Barbara, Dale and I are committed to working with the Friends and Covingham Parish Council when the Friends feel it is safe to do so."

Library user Sean Wilson has launched a petition to try and keep the library open.

He said: “People desperately need diversions during times like now, especially children and the elderly.”

The petition says: “We would like Swindon Borough Council and Covingham and Nythe parish councils to reopen Covingham Library in Swindon.

“It is a valuable community resource used by local people of all ages. The amount of money to save the library is small but an important community hub will be lost forever.”

To sign the petition visit change.org and enter 'Covingham' in the search field.