Community to be called upon to help protect Gamble and Earlestown Town Hall

The Gamble has been partially closed since March 2017 while Earlestown Town Hall shut its doors in 2008, shortly before becoming a Grade II listed building.

Last week the council’s cabinet endorsed a phased approach to bringing the iconic buildings back into public use, starting with a community consultation.

It is unclear at this stage just how much this endeavour will cost, although former council leader Derek Long said earlier this year that restoring the Gamble alone would be a “multi-million-pound project”.

A cabinet report on the plans says the consultation will help identify what skills, assets and resources can be drawn from the community or third parties to assist with these projects.

Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for corporate services, estates and communication Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for corporate services, estates and communication, said the current financial situation is worse now than when Earlestown Town Hall shut its doors more than a decade ago.

The Labour councillor said the council will need to look at “different models” and will need to look towards contributions from the community itself, building on the voluntary and community sector.

“Restoring the bricks and mortar of these two buildings is a commitment we’ve made to the people of St Helens and Newton-le-Willows,” Cllr Groucutt said.

“But it is just as important that we work together with the community to consider what goes inside them and how we make that sustainable for the long-term.

“When Earlestown Town Hall was shut under the previous Lib Dem administration, they said it was too expensive to run and maintain.

“The financial position facing the council is much worse now, so we need to look at different models and what contributions we can get from other public bodies and the community itself.

“As we move to the next phase of these projects, the council is fully committed to working alongside residents, businesses and anyone else with an interest in these historic buildings to ensure they are used to their full potential.”