New opening hours for Sandbach Library start today (Friday).

Sandbach Library will now close at 1 pm on Thursdays as cash-strapped Cheshire East Council looks to save money.

Sandbach Nub News told here how Sandbach Town council was asked to consider a top up fund of £17,000 to keep the library open on that afternoon.

But some councillors voted against the plan, arguing it was not a good use of public money.  

Sandbach Nub News told here how Cheshire East Council voted in favour of reduced library hours across the area to save cash.

From today (December 1st), it means Sandbach library will now shut at 1pm on Thursday. Opening hours are as follows:

Monday 10 am – 5 pm

Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm

Wednesday 10 am – 6 pm

Thursday 10 am – 1 pm

Friday 10 am – 5 pm

Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "The council absolutely understands just how much libraries are valued by local communities, and we have worked hard to reduce the impact on library opening hours as much as possible, while ensuring that we can make essential savings to balance our budget and protect services for those most at risk in our community.

"Alongside this, and as significant pressures on council finances remain, we have continued to explore opportunities to make the libraries service financially more self-sufficient, such as by bringing in third parties for wider community use benefits."