Thousands signed a petition, hundreds marched through the town centre, a judicial review was lodged – but the fight to Save Welshpool Library is over as it closes its doors this Saturday, March 14.

The purpose-built premises at Brook Street will shut its doors, with the service moving in alongside the Powysland Museum by the town’s canal.

The building is being rebranded as Y Lanfa/The Wharf and will open on Monday, March 30.

“It’s going to be a sad loss to our town,” said Susan McMaster from the Save Welshpool Library group.

“It was more than just a library, it was a place for people to meet. The petition proved the strength of public outrage but unfortunately we were all ignored. It’s going to be a sad day for many.”

Brian Timmis, from the Save Welshpool Library group, has been involved in the campaign from the very beginning.

When he created the petition to save the library in October 2018, he had expected to garner about 500 signatures, but it was eventually signed by more than 4,000 people. When hundreds marched though Welshpool last April, he was “totally gobsmacked”.

He said: “The people of Welshpool and the wider catchment area have been very supportive of the campaign. They can’t believe what has happened and are shocked.

“Loads of people donated and we can only thank them. We’re sorry that we didn’t win. It was a very good campaign and put on a bloody good fight.”

Councillor Phyl Davies, the cabinet member with for Education and Property, said the move is part of a “wider property rationalisation project”.

“This is partly to react to widely-recognised tight budgets over recent years but it will also free up Neuadd Maldwyn to be converted, subject to planning consent, to independent living accommodation for elderly people.”

Concerns have been raised by campaigners about the reduction in space for the library and what this will mean for the service.

However Cllr Davies said that a “full library service” will remain available after the relocation to the museum.