A FORMER librarian has spoken of his fears for the future of Ealing's main library despite a £2m makeover.

Peter Ludbrook, a retired librarian, says he fears Ealing Central Library will not be able to attract customers back, as delays to the refurbishment project mean it will have been closed for more than a year, when it finally reopens.

Building work, which is scheduled to take 20 weeks at the cost of £2.3m, starts next Monday, and will be undertaken by contractors Skyline Office Interiors.

The library, in the Ealing Broadway Centre, should be ready for use by late Spring 2008.

Mr Ludbrook said: "I am delighted new contractors have finally been found, but I do worry about the library being closed for a year, as to whether it will be able to pick up business again.

"It is a long time for any business to be shut.

"I also worry about the state of the Ealing Broadway Centre and the Broadway itself, when I see the shops that are leaving like Beales and those coming in like the pound shops.

"When the library first opened people were queuing to get in, but I doubt we will see those scenes again."

Ealing Council is in negotiations with neighbouring businesses as to who is liable for the costs of work to repair structural damage, which it is believed happened when Tesco moved in underneath the library.

Mr Ludbrook continued: "I do despair when I hear the council and its neighbours can't come to an agreement over £4,500 of repairs.

"I would like to be optimistic over the future of the services, but I really can't."