Plans in for Gamble Building overhaul

Consulted on in January, St Helens Council has now submitted proposals to revamp and extend the historic town centre building, much of which has been closed in recent years.

The council’s aim is to bring the St Helens Central Library back into the building as a modern and interactive facility.

Using the strapline of it being the town’s ‘living room’ the plan has been pitched as bringing together facilities including a new café, youth hub, archive, flexible event and workspaces, and a Business Connect service.

Heritage specialist Donald Insall Associates is behind designs for the project, which would see the Gamble Building’s frontage on Victoria Square protected and preserved, with the construction of a contemporary extension on the rear of the building that is complementary to the historical building.

This extension will provide for a new fully accessible entrance, and “positively interface” with St Helens’ new transport interchange, another critical element of the town centre’s regeneration.

Essential internal enabling works including asbestos removal, removal of redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and the stripping of flooring and false ceilings to prepare the site for main works are being carried out by Krol Corlett.

The Gamble Building has already undergone around £1.2m of external repair works, including improvements to the roofing and drainage systems, the installation of new windows, and extensive restoration of the heritage brickwork and terracotta features.

Funding sources explored by St Heles for the project include St Helens Council Capital Programme, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Town Deal Funding, and £2m from the LCR CA for regeneration initiatives.

Main works will begin subject to planning approval and main contractor procurement.