THE Hive was closed for a private party during normal opening hours on the night of Thursday, July 6 2017, causing a stir on social media.

Worcester’s prestigious library is usually open until 10pm, but closed five hours early this time last year, for a private event as staff and volunteers celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Reaction online was mixed. One anonymous reader said:

“It seems curious that at a time when the county council is cutting services it manages to find funds to close a public building to tax-payers earlier than its advertised hours and pays for its staff to have a party.

“It is unclear what the party is celebrating as these local government employees have done nothing more than what the tax payer pays them to do."

But Lottie Rushton defended the party. She said: “They deserve some time to chill, enjoy and celebrate a great success of a wonderful library."