Boylesports (UK) has submitted plans to divide the former Breck Road Library building in Anfield to create a new betting shop, with a second unit kept for potential community use. The building has been closed to the public since last October following a dispute over rent.
Library closed after rent dispute
Since 2015, Breck Road Library and a location in Dovecot had been managed on behalf of Liverpool Council by the charity AVCT. Last summer, the council stopped providing funds for those services as the rent row continued. After an agreement could not be reached, the council activated a break clause in its head lease with the building’s owners and took possession of Breck Road Library.
The building has remained closed since then. Now the Irish firm is seeking permission to divide the building to set up a new shop, with a second unit retained for potential community use.
Community use plans
Planning documents submitted to the city council detailed how the smaller unit of the two would be offered to the market at a nominal or discounted rate by the applicant, including AVCT. The documents added: “If after 12 months of active marketing at a nominal and/or discounted rate an appropriate community focused end user cannot be found, the unit would be offered to the wider market.”
Boylesports (UK) Limited provides gambling and betting services, offering a wide range of betting opportunities in horse racing, football, tennis, golf, rugby, cricket, other sports and numbers betting. Founded in 1989 by John Boyle, the business has grown to almost 400 shops in Ireland and the UK.
Funding for Dovecot library
While Breck Road remains closed, it was confirmed earlier this year that Liverpool Council and AVCT had reached an agreement to reinstate funds for the operation of the library in Dovecot. A total of £55,000 is to be awarded for the next two years for operational costs, subject to “clear targets” being met.
The grant is to be paid in quarterly payments of £13,750 per quarter in advance, for a maximum period of two years up to 2027/28. There is a risk that AVCT will not be able to secure revenue funding following the expiry of funding from April 2028. To mitigate this risk, the council has offered to support AVCT to identify possible funding opportunities and to make connections with potential funders such as Arts Council England.
Campaigners object
The proposals for a betting shop to replace Breck Road Library were not received positively by campaigners. Ruth Knox, from the Save Liverpool Libraries campaign, said: “It is unbelievable that under this Labour council’s watch, a library is closed and yet another betting shop may now open. Even worse that this should be a possibility in such a deprived part of the city.
“We call on the council as a matter of urgency to find the money to provide the same service to the people of Everton and Anfield that every other neighbourhood in the city enjoys.”
Cllr Ellie Byrne, whose ward the library falls into, made her feelings clear on social media. She said: “I knew the grave consequences closing our library would have. I warned against it, objected at every opportunity and fought this decision from the outset.
“I made my position clear from the beginning. I raised my concerns repeatedly, challenged the decision and fought to protect a vital community space because I knew what its loss would mean for the people I represent.
“I am proud to be a local representative who was born and raised in Everton East. This library was part of my own childhood. I went there every Wednesday with my primary school to read.
“Why should children growing up in Everton East today have fewer opportunities than I had? Our community needs this space and the promise of alternative provision must be honoured.
“I strongly encourage residents to make their voices heard and submit an objection.”
