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The words “We’re not giving up” rang through the hall at BNEC on Friday afternoon, spoken passionately by Phil Knibb, CEO of Alt Valley Community Trust. The statement captured the spirit of resistance at a packed public meeting held in response to Liverpool City Council’s controversial closure of Breck Road Library in North Liverpool.

A Sudden Closure That Shocked the Community

In what residents describe as a “closure in the dead of night”, the shutters at Breck Road Library were drilled shut without warning. Access was suddenly denied to the local community — a community that had long relied on the library for education, support services, and a sense of belonging.

The move came during the same week as the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, where Rachel Reeves made national pledges to support schools and libraries. Locals say this timing added insult to injury.

Questions Over Legality and Accountability

Many at the meeting questioned the legality of Liverpool City Council’s actions. Debbie Stokes, a North Liverpool community activist and former librarian at Breck Road Library, spoke emotionally about what she called a “North–South divide” in Liverpool’s funding priorities.

“A wall is being built around North Liverpool where funding is being denied,” Debbie declared, drawing applause from the crowd.

A Community That Fights Back

Support for the Save Breck Road Library campaign has been overwhelming. Out of hundreds who were asked, only five people refused to sign the petition demanding the library remained open.

Phil Knibb from Alt Valley Community Trust outlined the group’s financial struggles since taking over management of the library in 2016, after the council first threatened to close it. Despite reviving the library and expanding children’s services, Alt Valley received minimal funding from the city council — making it impossible to sustain rising rent and operational costs.

When presented with a formal lease that imposed unmanageable costs, the Trust declined to sign. Although the council repeatedly sent payment demands, no lease was ever agreed upon, and attempts to meet with city officials were consistently ignored — except by the debt collection department.

Political Voices Join the Fight

Alan Gibbons, representing Your Party, a new political initiative founded by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, spoke in solidarity with the community.

Next Steps: December Meeting Set with Liverpool City Council

A meeting between Alt Valley Community Trust and Liverpool City Council has been scheduled for December 3rd, where campaigners hope to secure a path forward for the library.

Community members are being urged to attend, show support, and continue raising awareness under the rallying cry — “We’re not giving up.”

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“The victims here are the Breck Road community,”

Phil Knibb