There was cheer in recession-hit Askew Road last week as the ribbons were cut at the newly refurbished library, and now, post office collection point.

Businesses in the once bustling street have been closing with alarming regularity recently.

But residents hope the improved library, which has been given an £87,000 makeover, and the new post office point inside, heralds the start of the road's recovery.

About 30 neighbours attended the re-opening, which was presided over by the Mayor of Fulham and Hammersmith, Councillor Alex Karmel, and most were left impressed with the new facility.

Caroline Needham, who lives in the road, said: "The hope is the post office collection point will get more people shopping here. Before, we had to go to Silver Road for the post, so this is much better for the locals.

"I'm more optimistic about the future."

Maurice and Audrey Bushell, who have lived and worked in the area since the war, were also impressed.

Mr Bushell said: "It looks very good and it can only improve the area."

Daughter Jane, who works at the library, said: "It's a lot brighter and more cheerful than it was, a lot more welcoming, and the collection counters will bring more people in."

Not all were happy though. Neighbour Caroline O'Neill is unimpressed with the fact the new children's area is no longer closed off from the main library and she also feels the building has lost some of its traditional feel with its new, modern features.

She said: "The soul has gone - there is now all this bright light and awful plastic. Libraries should be quiet places but now we are going to have a crèche in the middle of it which is going to shatter the peace and quiet."

Despite the reservation, Mayor Karmel hailed the opening, saying: "It's fair to say libraries in the past have been underutilised but this will offer everything the community needs.

"And already the counters have 4,000 pieces of mail for people to collect."