A PROPOSAL to transform the Waltham Forest Direct shop in Chingford into a volunteer-run community library is the council's preferred option for the future of the site, it has confirmed.
The services and advice branch, in Chingford Mount Road, is due to close on Friday August 26 as part of cost-cutting measures.
There was confusion last week when Cllr Afzal Akram, Labour cabinet member for business, described the building as being "on the market" when the Guardian asked what was going to happen to it.
But he has now said this does not mean the site will be sold off.
The authority has a long-term lease on the building and Cllr Akram said the phrase meant the council was examining a range of options over its future.
He said: "We've decided we're changing our WF Direct provision so we're looking at other potential uses of the building. Our preferred option is to put a library there as [Conservative leader] Cllr Matt Davis is suggesting but we're still in negotiations.
"If we can come to an agreement it will happen, if not we will have to look at other options.
"It is on the market, but the building is not for sale. We have a long-term lease and we're deciding what goes into the building.
"There could be other uses, for example it could be used for other services or could be sublet to a private business, but we are in negotiations over the library idea and that is the preferred option."
The Leyton branch closed on August 12, while the WF Direct shop in Leytonstone shuts on August 31.
The Walthamstow branch will remain open.
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