While it has been dogged with controversy including rocketing costs and likened to something out of the video game Minecraft, King's Lynn's latest attraction drew little but praise as the first borrowers browsed its shelves and queued to return their books.

Built on what was formerly an Argos store, with a nightclub above and a car park on top of that, the new building offers bright, airy spaces to read and socialise along with a children's play area, meeting rooms and a training kitchen.

Kerry Murray inside the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

Inside King's Lynn's new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

The new building is spread over three storeys (Image: Chris Bishop)

It replaces the far smaller Carnegie Library, on London Road, which opened in 1905 and has now been taken over by an arts group.

Kerry Murray, Norfolk's head of library operations, said: "I think it's just amazing.

"I started my career in the old library and it's got a special place in my heart but to open this is stunning, there's so much on offer in such an amazing place with three floors and something for everyone."

North West Norfolk MP James Wild in the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

North West Norfolk MP James Wild, who was among the visitors, said: "A modern, accessible library right in the heart of the town will inspire young people, create new opportunities for learning and skills, display more books, and give residents more reason to come into the town centre.”

West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales said: "I think it's terrific and at the heart of the town, it will have all the community and social impact you want.

"A lot of money's gone in here but it's money well-spent."

West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales (Image: Chris Bishop)

The price tag for the King's Lynn Multi User Hub - as it was originally known - soared to £17m, from the initial £6.3m originally forecast in 2021 before work began.

Norfolk County Council said green measures to minimise energy consumption and reduce the carbon impact of the building - in the former Argos store in the Vancouver Quarter shopping centre - had upped the bill.

The county paid almost £10m, with the remainder coming from the £25m in 'town deal' regeneration funding given to Lynn by the previous government.

People have criticised the appearance of the new building (Image: Chris Bishop)

As well as rising costs, the build at the corner of Tower Street and Baxster's Plain drew criticism for the blocks of tiles which clad its upper floors, which critics said gave it a Minecraft-esque appearance.

But visitors on its opening day were not so sure it detracted from the area, or the art deco Majestic Cinema next door.

"It's not too bad," said Lynner Mick Wright, 77, who was one of the first through the doors. "But mind you, they've spent enough on it."

Mick Wright, who was one of the first visitors to the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

Tony and June Farrell inside the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

Fellow local Tony Farrell, 82, added: "I think it looks good, I know it's different but why would somebody say it's ugly?"

Wife June, 75, admitted she took more convincing.

"I didn't like the look of it when they first started," she said. "But now they've finished it, it's a lot nicer."

Janet Eve, who wasn't impressed with the look of the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

West Norfolk councillor Jo Rust (Image: Chris Bishop)

Janet Eve, who was browsing on the ground floor, said: "I think it looks awful, but I'm so used to the old one."

Borough councillor Jo Rust had also come to have a look around.

"Some people are bogged down in the external view of it, but our town centre is made up of all kinds of different looks," she said.

"I'm really optimistic it's going to increase opportunities and aspirations."

The training kitchen in the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

The late Queen nestles with Rick Astley, Lenny Henry and Miranda hart on the shelves (Image: Chris Bishop)

The former Argos building, which was knocked down to make way for the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

The children's play area in the new library (Image: Chris Bishop)

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