Critics have spoken out against the newly- opened Tenterden Gateway.

The library, post office and council services site at Manor Row, which had a high-profile opening in December, is starting to attract some dissent.

Among the criticisms of the Gateway, which will be officially launched this weekend, are that it is noisy, crowded and unappealing.

Jo Masters of Smallhythe, described the move of the library from the Pebbles site as losing “a little oasis of peace”.

She added: “We now have toys for the screaming kids to play with while their mothers are in the queue at the post office.”

Mrs H. R. Martin contacted the Express to say: “Whoever thought that it would be acceptable to mix readers trying to select books with pedestrians with or without wheelchairs, walking sticks, children, shopping bags, baskets and buggies et al en route to the post office counter without the annoyance and distress that it has inevitably caused?

“Not only is there competition for the shared space, but the return journey from the post office area also takes customers through the main body of the library, adding to the confusion. The library space feels cramped and uninviting with the children’s area not ideally placed, to the detriment of children and adults.”

Elizabeth Benies of Appledore said: “It was a sad day for book-lovers to find that Tenterden’s new library had become an unappealing combination of tourist office, council office, computer centre, playschool and post office along with some of the original books.”

But county councillor Mike Hill, who has championed the Gateway project, defended the new service.

He said: “The Gateway concept is about making more efficient use of the space to improve services for customers by providing more than one service and making more efficient use of staff resources. There is more library space than there was before.”

He added: “I do understand that with multi-use of the area there is going to be some interference but we do try to minimise it.

“I have talked to staff several times and they have said there has been a mixed response, but many people are positive.

“We have had a lot of new joiners to the library, which is encouraging and many more young people are coming in.”