Liverpool’s cabinet is expected to approve plans to help save a historic Liverpool library today (28 October).

The Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub project wants to repurpose the derelict Andrew Carnegie Library in Tuebrook as a new events space and café for locals.

Under the plans, Lister Steps would be given a 125-year lease on the library with the aim of restoring and developing the building to serve the Tuebrook, Stoneycroft, Stanley and Newsham Park areas.

Opened in 1904, Grade II-listed structure is currently listed on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.

Donated to the local community by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1906, the library closed its doors in 2006 to pave the way for West Derby School to provide the library provision for the area.

Speaking to Your Move earlier this year when the plans for the library were first announced, Gaynor Williams, CEO of the Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub, said: “When it closed back in 2006 the community lost a valuable resource and our charity felt we could give it a new life by providing child care services, which we do already, but also using it as a venue for small businesses and study, as well as a venue for events and conferences.

“It could be a real focal point of the area again as it has beautiful grounds. It’s almost like a green oasis in the centre of an industrial district. Our plans to regenerate the building are very much a celebration of its heritage.

“The kind of activities we have planned are celebrations around heritage open days, such as an Edwardian Easter, Christmas festivities and literary events – we’re hoping to do some work with a local creative writing group which was founded in the library.”

The cabinet meeting will take place at the Cunard Building.

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