People ‘can’t wait’ as a new ‘hope’ center reopens next to Tesco

People “can’t wait” as a new cafe, antique shop and reopened library opens its doors.

Pensby Library reopens on May 16, after nearly two years of closure. Pensby Library closed in October 2022 as part of major cuts to balance Wirral Council’s budget that year. This saw the library, as well as eight others, close along with two golf courses and a leisure centre.

However, Pioneer People, a local charity that had previously taken over a community centre, tried to take it over, trying to manage the library in the future. He gained access to the building in February and has since moved in.

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He set up tables and chairs, some made from old sewing machines, a bicycle and a drum with an antique shop, a stocked library and a coffee shop, all inside what will be called Hope. Hope will open at 9 a.m. three days a week to start Thursday, Friday and Saturday with cakes, coffee, homemade Belgian waffles, paninis, soup and sandwiches.

Mark Johnston, director of the charity, said: “It has been a difficult process. Mainly because I think the council is under-resourced, but the intention was fabulous to give the asset back to the community, which I think is very, very positive.

“I want it to have a real sense of quality just to relax with a really good cup of coffee. Grab a coffee, grab something for someone, and pick up some books. I hope people will embrace the whole experience.

“The reaction was pretty incredible. I think people really missed the library. It is on a very busy thoroughfare with Tesco and the post office. People came in saying they couldn’t wait for it to open. We managed to recruit 25 new volunteers to the organization.

“I want it to be community owned. We feel like a charity that we’ve stepped in, but we’ve done it on behalf of the local community. The more involved the local community is, the more it will flourish.”

Luidmyla Yaremchuk, 44, moved to Pensby a year and a half ago with her daughter Polina, 17, after fleeing the war in Ukraine. They are from the town of Rivne in the west of the country, but said the Wirral community has welcomed them with open arms.

Luidmyla has spent the last few months training at a cafe in Wallasey and will now be running the cafe as her first job in the UK. She said: “I was really happy to join the team,” adding: “I’m really excited for tomorrow.”

She said: “I’d like to go back home because home is home but for now it’s safe here,” adding: “The British people are so kind and I really like the atmosphere, that kindness that the British have for the Ukrainian people. and their support.”

Pete Richie is pastor at nearby Emmanuel Church. He said: “I’ve lived here all my life. I myself came here when I was small and sat in the children’s corner. That was a few years ago and my kids came here too.”

He said a new space was important, adding: “People don’t tend to know their neighbors the way they used to. Community facilities like this are really valuable for people to reconnect with each other. We get into our cars at the end of the road and disappear. We don’t talk to as many people as we used to. Pensby needs it. It’s where people will reconnect with each other.”

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