St Helens Borough Council has secured £290,000 from the Government's Libraries Improvement Fund to progress its plans for St Helens Library as part of the wider restoration of the historic Gamble Building.

The DCMS-backed grant, distributed by Arts Council England, will help reimagine the building as a welcoming, modern and adaptable community hub at the centre of the town’s regeneration, offering access to books, digital resources, learning opportunities, cultural activity and community support for residents and visitors alike.

Tanya Wilcock, Director of Communities for St Helens Borough Council, said: "Our plans for St Helens Library and the Gamble Building, now supported by the Libraries Improvement Fund, have been developed to make the best possible use of this historical space. This funding will enable us to provide a modern, accessible and adaptable space that meets the evolving needs of our communities as part of our Borough Library Strategy 2023-2028. The transformed St Helens Library will be a welcoming place for residents of all ages - supporting learning, digital inclusion, cultural activity and community connection, while ensuring our historic buildings continue to serve a vital role in everyday life."

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The library is one of 17 cultural venues, local museums and libraries in the North West set to share £16.9 million to broaden access to arts and culture in the places people live.

Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England said: "Our museums, libraries and arts organisations have the power to change lives, they give us access to new worlds, teach us about our heritage and give us new perspectives on life. I'm so pleased that we'll be supporting so many of our cultural organisations in the North with this capital investment, which will ensure that they can continue to deliver incredible arts and culture to their communities."

Plans include a sympathetic contemporary extension to the rear that complements the historic façade, creating a new exhibition space, a state-of-the-art Archive facility, and a fully accessible entrance compliant with the Equality Act to further improve inclusion.

The Gamble Building project has moved into Phase 4 of 5. Designs are being finalised, with detailed costs and a delivery programme in development, informed by ongoing enabling works and an imminent planning application. Completion is currently anticipated in summer 2028, subject to construction progress.

The scheme is supported by multiple funding streams secured or sought by the council, including the council’s Capital Programme, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Town Deal Funding, and £2 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for regeneration initiatives.