Padgate Library set to undergo £142,000 renovation and revamp

PADGATE Library is set to undergo a £142,000 renovation beginning next month ahead of its reopening following lockdown.

The library, on Insall Road, is the next of the town’s libraries to undergo work as part of Warrington Borough Council’s library modernisation programme.
The library, managed by LiveWire, is currently closed due to the current pandemic and the improvements will be completed ahead of its reopening in the summer.

The plans for the redevelopment have been produced by Warrington Borough Council and LiveWire in conjunction with a working group made up of members of the local community and the Friends of Padgate Library group.
Priorities include making the library frontage brighter and more attractive to make it feel safer, especially in the winter months. The work also aims to provide more flexibility of space for library and community activities and to promote pride in the library, encouraging more people to use the important community facility.
The redevelopment will start next month and feature new external frontage including:
•The removal of the canopy and porch area.
•Replacing the front windows and glass panels in the roof.
•Improved external lighting.
•Repainting and new signage.
Following the completion of the external work, an internal refurbishment and redesign of the ground floor space will take place, including:
•New furniture, shelving and signage.
•Repainting the ground floor interior of the building.
•Relocation and installation of a new library counter, creating more space for library activities.
•Relocation of books from the first floor downstairs to create a dedicated multi-purpose room on the first floor to be used for community hires and activities.
Emma Hutchinson, Managing Director of LiveWire, said: “We are delighted that Padgate Library will be benefiting from this major external redevelopment and internal refurbishment ahead of its reopening. The improvements will help enhance the library experience for all our customers, and result in a modern, multi-functional library space that will be an asset to the whole community. We would like to thank the Friends of Padgate Library for all their dedication and time and all the members of the working group for their enthusiasm and support as we worked towards the start of the renovation of the library.”
Warrington Borough Council’s Director of Corporate Services, Lynton Green, who is also Chair of the Libraries Partnership Board, said: “It’s great news that the renovation of Padgate Library is getting under way, as part of our wider libraries modernisation programme.
“This investment will bring real benefits to local people, providing a welcoming, attractive and flexible space for people of all ages to enjoy. It’s the latest success in the work of a range of partners to give our libraries fresh impetus and direction, so that they continue to meet the needs and choices of our communities, now and in the future.”
Howard Cockcroft of The Friends of Padgate Library, said: “We are delighted that the work to modernise and improve the library is scheduled to begin. People’s reading habits increased significantly during the pandemic so we look forward to the public flocking back to the library, placing it at the centre of the community once again. The ‘Friends’ are grateful to the Borough Council and LiveWire for their continued support of local libraries.”