BASINGSTOKE Discovery Centre will no longer open on Sundays, effective from December 21.

A statement from Hampshire Country Council explained: “Significantly lower visitor numbers to Basingstoke Discovery Centre on Sundays has prompted a review of opening hours to make sure value for money is being provided for Hampshire taxpayers.

“The neighbouring retail units are closed on Sundays, so the Discovery Centre is not attracting shoppers from the busier areas of Festival Place. The Sunday staff will transfer their hours to week days.

“The Discovery Centre in Potters Walk, Festival Place, is currently open for a total of 62 hours a week including 4 hours on Sunday. Due to the low number of residents wanting to take advantage of the extra Sunday hours, these will be discontinued from Sunday 21 December.

“All other opening hours will remain the same. Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 6.30 pm. Saturday 8.30am - 4.30pm.”

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, said: “It’s important we look at all our services to make sure they are providing value for money for Hampshire’s council taxpayers.

“We are committed to providing a comprehensive and efficient Library Service for all of Hampshire’s residents and to do this we need to make sure resources are going where there is demand and where we can use them most efficiently.

“I hope customers will still take advantage of the excellent opening hours available at Basingstoke Discovery Centre on Mondays to Saturdays.”

After refurbishment by the Library Service, Basingstoke Discovery Centre opened in 2010. It is one of the top performing venues in the Library Service and in 2013/14 it attracted more than 310,000 visitors and issued 305,000 items.

The venue includes a café, computers, free Wi-Fi, and rooms for hire including a community space.

Regular activities include a programme of talks, craft and literary clubs. Annual events include the children’s Summer Reading Challenge supported by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, a fashion show working in partnership with Festival Place retailers, a careers fair in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and supported by a growing number of local employers, also family history and craft fairs.