A local children’s charity’s plans to reopen a Grade II-listed library in Tuebrook have moved ahead to the development stage after the proposals were approved by Liverpool City Council.

The Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub project, which aims to repurpose the derelict Andrew Carnegie library as a new events space and café for locals, is now seeking capital from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bankroll its next phase.

Gifted 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.

The Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub’s vision for the Andrew Carnegie library will see the historic building become a community centre, playing host to everything from a café to an events space.

Gaynor Williams, CEO of the Lister Steps Carnegie Community Hub, tells Your Move: “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 Andrew Carnegie library could reopen its doors before the end of 2018 if the charity’s application for Heritage Lottery Fund capital is granted in November.

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