A RESIDENTIAL library and charity in Flintshire has announced it has had to make "several redundancies."

Gladstone’s Library, located on Church Lane in Hawarden, is now closed.

Its warden and director Peter Francis said: "Unfortunately, we have had to make several redundancies and now we have just a small skeleton staff working hard to raise funds to make the necessary improvements which will enable us to abide by social distancing rules and reopen.

"Our wish is to re-employ as many of our wonderful and valued staff as possible when we re-open.

"Gladstone’s Library is independent and self-supporting.

"We have very meagre reserves and could not survive if we were not achieving high occupancy of our 25 bedrooms, small conference rooms and restaurant.

"Sadly, in this present crisis that is not possible.

"I know our closure is disappointing for those who value reading, writing and researching in the unique atmosphere of the library but we had to take this decision for our long term survival.

"Gladstone’s Library will reopen - of that I am convinced.

"But it will take a lot of hard work to get us there."