A historic Merseyside building, that has been closed for more than 12 years, is one step closer to reopening
Historic Carnegie Library, Crosby. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A historic and much-loved community building is one step closer to reopening, more than 12 years after being closed. Carnegie Library on College Road, Crosby, has been vacant since being closed down by Sefton Council in 2013 as part of a “libraries review” and a bid to save money.
During the resulting 12 year period, there has been much debate – and no little speculation – on would happen to the Grade II listed building and who would take over the project. In December 2022, popular coffee shop Moose announced its plans to take over part of The Carnegie Library and submitted plans by developer Cunard Construction (CC) Ltd.
Posting on its Facebook page at the time, Moose said it is “desperate” to “see the library returned to its former glory”.
As part of the wider planning application, the heritage statement said: “In summary, it involves minor internal alterations to provide three distinct spaces for use as an office, a co-working office with meeting space, and a family restaurant.
Historic Carnegie Library, Crosby. (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“Internal heritage features will be retained and restored where possible and will be used to inform interior design choices throughout the development.
“The intention is to enhance and improve the internal environment to a modern contemporary quality whilst also promoting the historical nature of the building. All alterations are intended to be constructed as reversible, such that any modern additions could be removed at a future date if desired.”
Crosby’s Carnegie Library is one of 2,509 libraries across the world built between 1883 and 1929 with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. There were originally 660 Carnegie libraries in the UK and Ireland.
Historic Carnegie Library, Crosby.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
As it is a Grade II listed building, Moose had to apply for planning permission for the change of use from a public library to an ‘office, digital hub and restaurant with outdoor seating provision’.
Plans submitted to Sefton Council sought approval for a single storey extension to the rear, insertion of a mezzanine floor at first floor level, and associated repairs, landscaping and signage.
Historic Carnegie Library, Crosby.(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Last week (August 7) the owners of Moose submitted a new application for a premises license to allow the ‘(on/off) Sale by Retail of Alcohol 0900–2300hrs Monday to Sunday’. The application will run until August 27.