Despite a campaign involving several leading authors, Kensal Rise Library has been put on the property market.
JK Rowling is a member of the Royal Society of Literature Photo: GETTY IMAGES
JK Rowling has encouraged a generation of children to read and has become one of the world’s richest women, but she has failed to save a historic library.
The Royal Society of Literature, of which the Labour-supporting Rowling is a leading member, said it was “appalled” that Kensal Rise Library had been stripped of its books by Brent council in May.
However, Mandrake can disclose that the elegant library, whose opening was attended by Mark Twain in 1900, has now been quietly put on the market with Cluttons.
The estate agent refuses to say how much it is seeking for the 5,850 sq ft building, which is in an increasingly fashionable corner of north-west London, but it would be worth millions.
Labour-controlled Brent closed the library last year as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Under the terms of its lease, the building’s ownership reverted to All Souls College, Oxford, which is now selling it.
“All Souls were fine with the land being used for free until Brent council insisted on giving it back to them. Now they, understandably, have to look at their options. I feel betrayed by the council and the Government.”
Denis MacShane, the Labour MP, says: “The decision is a symbol of cultural philistinism. It is sad to see this wonderful coalition of writers and artists has been unsuccessful in their campaign.”
Denis MacShane, the Labour MP, says: “The decision is a symbol of cultural philistinism. It is sad to see this wonderful coalition of writers and artists has been unsuccessful in their campaign.”