Tameside's libraries and cultural buildings are fully reopening following temporary restrictions due to Covid-19.

The Click and Collect only service for the borough’s libraries ends on Tuesday (11 January), while Portland Basin Museum in Ashton and Astley Cheetham Art Gallery in Stalybridge reopen on Wednesday (12 January) at 10am and 1pm respectively.

Open+ operating hours will also resume in libraries, with the exception of Droylsden which will be available soon. Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre in Ashton is also now open.

A reduced Ashton Library service is currently available on Level 1 at Tameside One but will fully reopen in its ground floor facility on 24 January. The library access point on Level 1 will close at 4pm on 21 January.

The ground floor is temporarily closed for building works on the voids between floors to install additional fire detection equipment to reduce insurance premiums and enhance fire safety.

The additional temporary hours in place at other library venues whilst Ashton is only able to offer a limited service will cease from the 21 January.  Those venues (Dukinfield, Stalybridge and Droylsden libraries) will revert back to their normal staffed hours with effect from Monday 24 January.

The temporary restrictions for Tameside’s cultural buildings had been in effect as a Covid safety precaution to help protect customers and staff.

Tameside Council say risk assessments have been revised and Covid safety measures are in place, including Perspex screens around counters, staff socially distancing, hand sanitisation and wipes available for customers to sanitise PCs between use. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering.

Councillor Leanne Feeley, Executive Member responsible for culture, said: “Temporary restrictions were in place to protect local residents and staff and help keep vital frontline services running, but I’m pleased to say that we’re now in a position where we can fully open up our cultural buildings.

“However, Covid has not gone away and Tameside and Greater Manchester’s Covid rates remain extremely high so we will have the necessary safety measures in place and ask that people continue to follow the guidance to protect themselves and others.”

For opening hours and further information on libraries see www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries, for Local Studies and Archives see www.tameside.gov.uk/archives and for further information on museums and galleries see www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries.

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