Changes are being proposed at two South Shields library sites, including potential “alternative models” for the shop space at The Word, as part of council budget proposals.

South Tyneside Council operates four libraries and supports a number of libraries managed by the community.

The local authority’s medium-term financial plan (MTFP) for 2026–2031 includes potential proposals for the future of The Word and Cleadon Park libraries.

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Shields (January, 2024) | LDRS

placeholder image — The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Shields (January, 2024) | LDRS

Changes are being proposed as part of the council’s upcoming 2026/27 budget outlined in the MTFP, which includes £11.8 million of proposed savings, along with a 4.95 per cent proposed increase in council tax to fund council services.

A number of culture and leisure savings are being proposed as part of the medium-term financial plan, which include “small adjustments” to library opening hours at The Word and Cleadon Park libraries.

South Tyneside Council has confirmed reduced opening hours at The Word could include the venue closing on a Sunday, which the council said would be in line with the majority of councils in the region and in recognition of existing levels of activity at the South Shields site on Sundays.

Meanwhile, proposals for Cleadon Park could include preserving hours during weekdays and reducing hours at weekends, reflecting the existing levels of footfall and evening weekday openings, with final details set to be confirmed in future.

It is understood that budget savings for the two libraries would be around £150,000, according to the MTFP documents published this week, with savings coming from “mainstream direct costs including staffing.”

The council, in a recent statement, confirmed that budget proposals included making “small adjustments” to library opening hours to “modernise operations” while keeping all main sites open six days a week.

At The Word in South Shields there are also proposals for the space currently occupied by Shop @ The Word, which is filled with gifts, cards and decorations supplied by North East artists and small businesses.

In a statement in December, 2025, the council said “no decision” had been made over the future of the shop but that “rising costs and ongoing pressures mean we must consider all options to deliver a balanced budget for the next financial year.”

The council has now confirmed that proposals include exploring “alternative models” around how the shop space at The Word could be used in future.

This includes “reviewing how the retail space is managed to ensure it is financially sustainable”, with several proposals under consideration including letting the space to different providers.

A council spokesperson said: “At the moment, the council has to subsidise the shop, we don’t make any money from it, and in a challenging budget climate we need to make sure every pound supports essential services.

“No decisions have been made, and we are exploring a range of alternative models including letting the space, enabling pop‑ups at different times of the year, and working with local creatives or partners to make the offer more self‑financing.

“This is new territory for the council, and we’re open to innovative ideas that could keep the space vibrant while reducing the cost to the public purse.”

South Tyneside Council’s Labour cabinet will discuss the MTFP at a meeting at South Shields Town Hall on February 4, 2026.

If approved by cabinet next week, the draft MTFP, capital and investment strategy, and treasury management strategy, will be considered by borough council on February 26, 2026.