Bromley Council is considering extending its library services contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) for another five years, a move that would see GLL continue to manage the borough's 14 libraries until 2032. The guideline five-year Contract Price is estimated at £27.26m, a figure subject to change based on contract extension negotiations and market forces/inflation.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The current contract with GLL is set to expire on 31 October 2027.
According to the Options Appraisal - Future of the Library Service report, extending the contract with GLL is the recommended approach. The report cites GLL's strong track record in managing Bromley Libraries, noting that Bromley was the highest issuing authority of books in London for the third consecutive year. The report also states that GLL has successfully retained both Archive and Museum accreditation for Bromley Historic Collections.
The Provision of Library Service Contract Performance Report also highlights GLL's performance in delivering the library service contract.
The extension allows for negotiation on the contract including price and service scope to reflect the development of the service since the contract commenced and to deliver on key Council priorities including co-location of services.
The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to consider an options appraisal for the future of Bromley's Library Service, as the contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is due to end on 31 October 2027. The report outlined three options:
- Negotiate a contract extension with GLL.
- Begin a procurement process to find a new operator for the library service.
- Bring the service back in house.
The report also notes the benefits and risk levels of the three options:
| Option | Summary and benefits | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Option One: Retain current operator. Negotiate with GLL to extend the current contract by a five-year term. | This option to extend the contract offers a wide range of benefits to the Council. Bromley Libraries was a high performing service prior to transfer to GLL in 2017, however under GLL management for the third consecutive year are the highest issuing London library authority. GLL are able to offer economies of scale, value for money has been achieved with the stock fund maintained, and the Council's priorities have been delivered. GLL have shown through their strong contract management of Bromley Libraries that they can improve and develop services as a market leader. Re-negotiating the contract would enable the Council to make further improvements to the contract. The five-year contract extension was factored in to minimise risk and keep mobilisation costs down. Extending the contract would provide continuity and minimise disruption in service for the public with limited mobilisation required. As the contract governance is also in place there would be no increased mobilisation costs or service disruption with the current management and staffing arrangement maintained. | Low |
| Option Two: No contract extension. Procurement via compliant procurement route for a library operator. | No benefits have been identified for the option to tender for this requirement via a compliant procurement route at this time. It is unlikely that retendering at this time would generate better costs or benefits to the library service than the current contract agreement with GLL. Choosing this option would instead increase risk and uncertainty due to the quality of the market, the lack of choice (GLL are the market leader), and potential increased service costs. GLL have a strong track record in meeting the contract KPIs and there are no issues with their performance that would prevent officers from activating the five-year contract extension. | High |
| Option Three: No contract extension. Bring the library service back in house with efficiencies. | No benefits have been identified for this option to bring the library service back in house which would not be on a like for like basis due to the increased operating costs (including business rates), and the loss of other economies of scale that external providers can offer. A like for like service would not be provided as efficiencies would be required. This would increase risk and uncertainty and result in a reduction in the quality and range of the service that would impact on customers. In addition, a reduced service may mean that the Council's investment in the library repair programme will not be fully realised. | High |
Other options considered but not recommended include beginning a procurement process to find a new operator for the library service, and bringing the service back in house.
The risks of retaining the current service provider and extending the contract by the five-year term are limited due to Greenwich Leisure Limited's knowledge and existing management of the Bromley Libraries Contract.
- The contract extension is by consent of both parties, GLL has indicated that they wish to negotiate to extend the contract minimising risk with no disputes expected.
- The current risks to the contract include Force Majeure, GLL have shown by their COVID response that they can quickly mobilise responses to unforeseen circumstances. The condition of the buildings has improved through the Library repair programme. There have been periods of industrial action since the contract commenced, however these have reduced during the ten years. Industrial relations have improved though regular meetings between Unite and GLL and Unite meetings with the Client Team.
- Other than legal costs to make the amendments to the contract and leases, there will be no other mobilisation costs If the contract extension is activated.
The final decision on the contract extension will be made by the Executive on 26 November 2025. If approved, officers will then seek mutual agreement with GLL to extend the contract, with the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing delegating authority to agree the final contract terms following officer negotiation.
