PLANS to move Central Library to the World of Glass is expected to be completed in the winter, St Helens Council has confirmed.

The World of Glass has long been the preferred destination for a new town centre library as it is seen by the council as a key location in the regeneration of the town centre.

The town centre regeneration masterplan unveiled in 2017 set out plans to create a ‘cultural zone’ adjacent to the canal, anchored by a new arts and cultural centre in the World of Glass building.

In April, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed plans to set up a new library in the Chalon Way-based glass museum, which forms part of these overarching plans.

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St Helens Council has now confirmed that the new town centre library is expected to open in winter 2019.

This was supported by Ron Helsby, executive director of the World of Glass, who said the library should be ready in early 2020.

Mr Helsby added: “We are working with our local authority partners on plans to deliver something that is better for the people of St Helens.”

Once opened, it would be the first time since March 2017 that the town has had a functioning library.

Based in the Gamble Building, Central Library has yet to reopen after closing for urgent repairs, although council staff have remained in the offices in the upper floors.

But even with the library moving to the World of Glass, question marks still remain over the future of the Gamble.

St Helens Star:

Central Library in the Gamble Building has been closed since March 2017

As previously reported, a building survey report estimated it would cost £2.16 million to fund the repairs and modernise the building.

In April, Cllr Derek Long, who was leader of the council at the time, pledged to make a “major capital investment” to bring the Gamble back into public use “as soon as is practicable”.

It is understood the current council leader, David Baines, is adamant the Gamble will be restored and kept in public use.

Prior to him stepping down following the local elections in May, Cllr Long had also instructed officers to come up with a long-term plan for the Gamble.

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It is understood this has not yet completed and until it is, the future of the iconic building remains unclear.

The decision regarding the Gamble could also impact the new library, which the Labour-run council previously said would be a temporary arrangement.

However, a Labour source said the move could end up being permanent if sufficient plans for the Gamble are agreed.