St Helens approves Gamble Building overhaul
Work to extend and revamp the historic town centre building can advance following a planning committee decision.
St Helens Council’s planning committee considered the application on Tuesday 1 September. Four abstentions were recorded, with no votes against.
As outlined during a consultation process at the start of this year, the council wants to make the Gamble Building the town’s “living room”, bringing St Helens Central Library into the picture, along with its archive, a café, youth hub, and flexible event and workspace.
Located on Victoria Square, the Gamble Building closed in 2017, due to structural safety issues. Two years later, the council approved a five-phase redevelopment to bring the asset back to public use.
Contractor Krol Corlett has been on site with works including asbestos removal, stripping out flooring and false ceilings, after a £1.4m package to take forward restoration works was signed off last year. Work on the exteriors has already taken place.
On the table now is a project led by heritage specialist Donald Insall Associates, with a five-storey extension to the eastern elevation, which will include a new entrance and bring fully accessible routes through the building.
Concerns were raised at committee by Cllr James Tasker, querying the introduction of contemporary architectural styles in a heritage environment: “What’s that going to look like in 40 years’ time? Is it something we’re going to be proud of?” When it came to the vote though, no members voted against.
Documents relating to the application can be seen on St Helens’ planning portal, reference P/2026/0255/FUL.
