A popular library coffee shop is set to close as it is "no longer financially viable".

The café at Sutton Central Library in St Nicholas Way, which is run as a joint venture between Sutton Council and Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA), serves cut-price refreshments and snacks to library users.

But, at the end of the month, it is due to close - although the council has pledged to work to find an alternative way of providing the service.

A joint statement from SCOLA and the council said: "The coffee shop in Sutton Library is run through a partnership between SCOLA and Sutton Council.

"Unfortunately the coffee shop is no longer financially viable, so the facility will close at the end of March.                                                                                        

"The coffee shop is an important community hub and the council is exploring alternative options for providing this service."

Service users - including a councillor - have criticised the move.

Justine Brown, who regularly visits the café, said: "It's a real shame, it's such a nice café. They're saying they aren't making money and that will mean three people are made redundant, but I would have thought there should be a way to save it.

"A cup of tea only costs a pound there - maybe they could raise the prices? That would be better than closing it altogether."

Councillor Tony Shields became aware of the planned closure when he went in for his breakfast on Tuesday. He said: "It's a shocker. The council has thousands of pounds to keep the Life Centre going but it can't keep a café that people are actually using open? It doesn't make sense.

"I'm not in here every day but I come in every now and again and there are always people here."

Do you use the library café? How do you feel about it closing? Contact reporter Mike Pyle on 0208 722 6359 or mike.pyle@london.newsquest.co.uk.