Nikki’s Coffee Bar will sell books to raise funds for Friends of Barham Library

Commuters grabbing a coffee at a train station can also help raise money for library campaigners by buying a book for just £1.

Nikki’s Coffee Bar is aiming to boost the fundraising mission by Friends of Barham Library (FOBL) by selling used books on their behalf.

Sudbury resident Nicola Amory-Hypolite set up the premises at Sudbury Town Underground Station to provide great coffee, cakes and refreshments for local people and has now leant her support to the campaign.

FOBL was established after Brent Council axed half of the borough’s libraries as part of a cost-cutting exercise including its Barham branch.

The branch, which was opened in , was closed alongside Cricklewood, Neasden, Kensal Rise, Tokyngton and Preston libraries were closed to save £1million.

Cllr Paul Lorber, FOBL member and leader of Brent Liberal Democrats, said: “Nicola is working very hard to establish a successful business in Sudbury and deserves the support from local people.

“We are delighted and grateful that Nicola she has agreed to display our books and help to publicise our book service to more people in Sudbury. “We urge all our supporters to visit Sudbury Town during peak times for some great coffee and cake and to pick up a cheap book at the same time.”

A community library established by FOBL will celebrate its first birthday next month.

The reading room at 428 High Road, is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 5pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm.

Until August 10, book lovers can pick up a paperback from the library for a donation of 50p as part of a month-long campaign to get people reading over the summer.

FOBL have raised the £25,000 needed to make a bid for the closed branch in the last year but it was turned down by the council.

Undeterred they have vowed to continue their campaign to get the branch reopened.

Donations to Friends of Barham Library can be made at virginmoneygiving/barhamlibrary.