A near-200-strong petition calling for Lampeter’s library to remain in the town’s Market Street has been received by senior Ceredigion councillors.

A public consultation is expected later this month over a potential relocation of the library to the town’s Wellness Centre.

The council is currently undertaking a review into the use of its buildings “in an attempt to provide more central and efficient services to our citizens, as well as to those who visit Ceredigion,” with a consultation currently ongoing in nearby Aberaeron.

Savings in the library service are part of a long string of savings identified in the 2024-’25 council budget, which saw council tax increase by 11.1 per cent, with a raft of 70 cuts and budget savings recommendations, totalling £5.793m.

A public meeting on the mooted move was held by Lampeter Town Council recently, chaired by local county councillor and Ceredigion vice-chair Cllr Ann Bowen Morgan.

Following that meeting, the town council posted on social media: “Thank all those who attended and for your contributions under the excellent chair of Cllr Ann Bowen Morgan. The town council will now be taking things forward to ensure the voice of the town is heard.

“Over the coming weeks we will be urging you to work with us to identify ways of making a case for keeping the library building in its current location and how costs can be saved to make this viable.”

It added: “It’s important that we work as a united front – whether we are parts of other groups, businesses or individuals.”

A petition has now been received by Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet, meeting at Penmorfa, Aberaeron, on June 3.

The 175-strong petition read: “Ceredigion County Council are considering moving the library from our town centre to the Wellbeing Centre. A public consultation is to be held in June and it is important for us to fill in the consultation. Help us stop this proposal.”

Members agreed to note receipt of the petition, ahead of the expected formal consultation, with the relevant council service considering the contents.