Star support for protesters at Herne Hill library set to be turned into private gym

Pressure: Stella Duffy and Adjoa Andoh join campaigners at Carnegie Library in Herne Hill
Nigel Howard

Adjoa Andoh today joined campaigners who have barricaded themselves into a library at risk of being turned into a gym.

The actress, who starred in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus and Doctor Who, supported more than 40 protesters at Carnegie Library in Herne Hill.

Lambeth council is today beginning eviction proceedings against the group, who have been there since Thursday, after obtaining a possession order for the Grade II listed building.

They are refusing to leave until town hall chiefs reconsider a plan to replace the library with a private gym and self-service book lending room.

Andoh, 53, who has lived in Brixton for more than 20 years, said: “This library is part of my family’s life. I don’t understand the council’s logic on this.

"It is distressing for everyone but is a sign of the times when the economy triumphs over community space.”

Novelist Stella Duffy, 53, also joined the protesters, saying without her local library she would not be a writer.

The library is one of four in the borough being forced to close or be taken over by the local community to meet £200 million budget cuts.

Jane Edbrooke, Lambeth’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We understand people are passionate about this issue, but savings have to be made.

“It is unfortunate a small number of people have decided to be obstructive, as Lambeth council has worked hard to minimise the impact on libraries.”

The council is set to face the occupiers at Lambeth county court on May 4.

Pressure: Stella Duffy and Adjoa Andoh join campaigners at Carnegie Library in Herne Hill

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