Former library in Liverpool set for £4m community transformation

The former Andrew Carnegie Library in Tuebrook, Liverpool, will be given a new lease of life thanks to a £3.9m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Grade II Listed building was derelict until 2012 when community-based childcare charity Lister Steps were selected to take on the building and develop their service.

The charity will move its child care services into the building on a long lease from the council, creating six new jobs and training opportunities, hosting a raft of facilities including a licensed café, an events space, a healthy food takeaway, a co-working space and facilities to help local people socialise, learn new skills and hobbies.

Liverpool City Council, which owns the building and is contributing £500,000 to the scheme, has appointed specialist contractors HH Smith & Sons Ltd to undertake the 12-month restoration, beginning on Monday, April 1.

HH Smith has carried out a great number of restoration projects across the north of England such as Gorton Monastery, Norton Priory, Quarry Bank Mill, The Met Theatre in Bury, and is currently working on listed buildings including Halle St Peter, Manchester and First White Cloth Hall, Leeds.

Gaynor Williams, CEO at Lister Steps, said: ‘We are delighted that work can finally start restoring this important part of our local heritage and bringing to life our plans and aspirations.

‘We are looking forward to the long lasting benefits and opportunities it will offer our community and we’d like to thank National Lottery players and the city council for their ongoing support.’

Nathan Lee, head of the National Lottery Heritage Fund North West, said: ‘The Lister Steps project is a fantastic example of local heritage-led regeneration and shows how new ideas can be used to bring historic buildings back to the heart of the local community.

‘This project will provide the Library with a sustainable long-term future helping to boost the local economy, provide jobs and training for local people and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration in the area.’