WARRINGTON Museum and Library is set to move into a temporary new base in the heart of the town while essential maintenance work goes on in its historic home.
They will soon be moving to a new, temporary residence in Golden Square.
Borough council chiefs look set to invest more than £360,000 in repairs to the Museum and Library’s 164-year-old, Grade II Listed building on Bold Street, as part of its ongoing investment in Warrington’s cultural and literary future.
The vital project aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of one of the town’s key cultural and heritage assets, so that people from Warrington and beyond can continue to enjoy the treasures it offers, for generations to come.
Subject to approval, a six-month refurbishment project is due to start in June, following official confirmation of the chosen contractor due at the council’s cabinet in May. Works will focus on the essential restoration of the roof. A new, temporary site has been identified for the Museum and Library to ensure these vital services can continue.
The former USC unit in Golden Square has been chosen as the perfect location, with its prominent position and well-presented space making it an ideal place to connect town centre visitors with Warrington’s unique historical and cultural offer.
The pop-up Museum and Library will present an eclectic mix of best-loved books, IT services, historic collections, exquisite artwork, and more, in the shop.
Emma Hutchinson, managing director of Culture Warrington and LiveWire – the sister companies that operate Warrington Museum and Art Gallery and Central Library – said: “The care of our iconic building is of utmost importance to us and the Warrington community, and preserving it for future use and generations is a top priority of ours.
“A temporary move would be a fantastic opportunity for us to bring our remarkable offer to the very heart of the Warrington community, and we look forward to welcoming in new and familiar faces alike.”
Steve Park, Director of Growth at Warrington Borough Council, said: “We want to make sure that Warrington’s proud culture and heritage is a key driver of regeneration in our town. That’s why it’s vital that we invest in and protect our cultural assets for the future. Warrington Museum and Art Gallery is one of the oldest museums in the country, and investment in it will help ensure its long-term sustainability as a bustling hive of creativity, heritage, learning and culture.
“The refurbishment works – in particular the much-needed renovation of the roof – have been planned for some time. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic meant we were unable to proceed last year.
“As the town centre continues to reopen, it’s vital that we maintain our cultural momentum and ensure that people have easy access to our rich cultural heritage and history. That’s why Golden Square would be a high quality, temporary home for Museum and Library services. We believe it is ideally placed to tell the Warrington story and welcome the increased visitors to our town centre as it springs back to life.”
Head to https://culturewarrington.org/ for further information.
