Seven Libraries Set to Close in Enfield After Labour Back Cost-Cutting Plan
Seven Enfield Libraries Shut Despite Public Fury
Enfield Council has confirmed it will close seven libraries across the borough later this year. The controversial move, backed by Labour councillors, has sparked outrage among residents and campaigners.
- Southgate Library
- Winchmore Hill Library
- John Jackson Library (Bush Hill Park)
- Bullsmoor Library
- Enfield Highway Library
- Bowes Road Library
- Enfield Island Library
Only Oakwood Library will remain open after a public consultation that drew 2,400 responses.
Council bosses say the closures will slash staffing and running costs by up to £560,000 a year. Selling off the library buildings could bring in between £3million and £3.85million.
Row Breaks Out Over Library Closures
Conservative councillors slammed the plan as unnecessary and damaging to local communities. Southgate ward councillor Elisa Morreale blasted the Labour-led council:
“Despite the overwhelming negative response to the consultation, Enfield’s Labour group are steaming ahead with this anyway.”
Chris Joannides, another Tory councillor, said closing Southgate Library was among his biggest recent issues raised by residents.
Winchmore Hill councillor Lee Chamberlain accused the council of “spin”, claiming Labour are misleading the public by calling the cuts an “improvement” while dodging responsibility for financial mismanagement.
Labour councillors hit back, saying cuts are forced by severe funding squeezes from central government. Councillor Doug Taylor highlighted that Enfield currently runs more libraries (16) than neighbouring boroughs like Haringey (9) and Waltham Forest (8).
“From 2010 onwards, we not only kept our libraries, we had more — 16 in total — but we have to accept that year-on-year, the financial situation of the council has been reduced because of government cuts.”
Council leader Ergin Erbil blamed 14 years of Conservative-led governments for the crisis, accusing Tory councillors of hypocrisy:
“They door-knocked for austerity. They door-knocked for public services to be decimated across our country. Take everything they say with a pinch of salt.”
What Happens Next?
Despite promises to keep services at “strategic locations,” critics warn the library closures will hit access to books, study spaces, and vital community programmes hard — especially for children and older residents.
Opponents are urging locals to lobby councillors and seek alternative funding to save the libraries.
For now, Enfield’s library network will shrink by almost half, delivering a major blow to public services in the borough.
