23/07/2010
Liverpool Celebrates £50m Library Refit
One of the biggest library redevelopments in the UK has been given the green light.
After four years of planning, the 'PFI' contract for the £50m renovation of Liverpool Central Library was formally signed and immediately hailed as 'the best news this year' by Liverpool City Council.
The 150-year-old library, which lies within Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage site, will then be rebuilt by Inspire Partnership, which is a joint venture between Amber Infrastructure and Shepherd Construction with architects at Austin-Smith:Lord and Cofely as providers of Facilities Management services.
Soon after the old building closed in late July, it will take approximately three months to empty completely before construction work commences.
Work will then begin this autumn and will see the full restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building, which date back to 1860, and the famous Hornby Library and Oak Reading Rooms being fully open to the public for the first time.
The sections behind the façade, which were built in the 1950s and 1970s following World War II bomb damage and now suffer from damp and a leaking roof, will be rebuilt to make the most of the available space including a new purpose-built home for Liverpool Record Office.
It will also feature high-class visitor facilities with excellent access to the library's book collections.
The new Central Library is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2012.
Council Leader Joe Anderson said: "Liverpool Central Library is one of the UK's most celebrated public libraries but it desperately needs this renovation so the approval of this scheme is one of the best bits of news the city will hear this year.
"The scale of this project is immense and it will take some time to complete, but I'm sure the wait will be well worth it.''
Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, added: ''I'd like to thank everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to get the funding in place to deliver this new Central Library for the people of Liverpool.
"I'm delighted the contracts are signed and we look forward to working with our partners to create one of the best public libraries in the UK.''
(BMcC/KMcA)
After four years of planning, the 'PFI' contract for the £50m renovation of Liverpool Central Library was formally signed and immediately hailed as 'the best news this year' by Liverpool City Council.
The 150-year-old library, which lies within Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage site, will then be rebuilt by Inspire Partnership, which is a joint venture between Amber Infrastructure and Shepherd Construction with architects at Austin-Smith:Lord and Cofely as providers of Facilities Management services.
Soon after the old building closed in late July, it will take approximately three months to empty completely before construction work commences.
Work will then begin this autumn and will see the full restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building, which date back to 1860, and the famous Hornby Library and Oak Reading Rooms being fully open to the public for the first time.
The sections behind the façade, which were built in the 1950s and 1970s following World War II bomb damage and now suffer from damp and a leaking roof, will be rebuilt to make the most of the available space including a new purpose-built home for Liverpool Record Office.
It will also feature high-class visitor facilities with excellent access to the library's book collections.
The new Central Library is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2012.
Council Leader Joe Anderson said: "Liverpool Central Library is one of the UK's most celebrated public libraries but it desperately needs this renovation so the approval of this scheme is one of the best bits of news the city will hear this year.
"The scale of this project is immense and it will take some time to complete, but I'm sure the wait will be well worth it.''
Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, added: ''I'd like to thank everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to get the funding in place to deliver this new Central Library for the people of Liverpool.
"I'm delighted the contracts are signed and we look forward to working with our partners to create one of the best public libraries in the UK.''
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 May 2015
Six Men Jailed After Whiskey And Chocolate Theft
Six men have been sentenced after lorries carrying whiskey and chocolate were stolen in Kent during April 2013. The thefts occurred in the Dover area. Police said high value whiskey with a retail price of £23,000 was stolen from the trailer of a lorry parked in a haulage yard in Lyndden.
Six Men Jailed After Whiskey And Chocolate Theft
Six men have been sentenced after lorries carrying whiskey and chocolate were stolen in Kent during April 2013. The thefts occurred in the Dover area. Police said high value whiskey with a retail price of £23,000 was stolen from the trailer of a lorry parked in a haulage yard in Lyndden.
15 March 2012
'Drunken Fans' Blamed For Hillsborough Tragedy
Confidential government documents have revealed a senior Merseyside police officer blamed "drunken Liverpool fans" for causing the Hillsborough disaster. The BBC has seen leaked briefings sent to former PM Margaret Thatcher about Britain's worst sports tragedy.
'Drunken Fans' Blamed For Hillsborough Tragedy
Confidential government documents have revealed a senior Merseyside police officer blamed "drunken Liverpool fans" for causing the Hillsborough disaster. The BBC has seen leaked briefings sent to former PM Margaret Thatcher about Britain's worst sports tragedy.
05 August 2009
Brothers 'Win' Hospital Poisoning Case
An eight-year legal battle has been won after a Merseyside hospital admitted effectively poisoning two brothers. Liam McNeely, 35, and his brother Paul, 39, received blood transfusions for a rare form of anaemia at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Brothers 'Win' Hospital Poisoning Case
An eight-year legal battle has been won after a Merseyside hospital admitted effectively poisoning two brothers. Liam McNeely, 35, and his brother Paul, 39, received blood transfusions for a rare form of anaemia at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
17 October 2007
More Talks Due In Postal Dispute
The leaders of the Communication Workers' Union are due to meet with Royal Mail management for further talks on Thursday to decide whether to recommend an offer on pay and conditions to their members. The union reportedly wants to clarify outstanding issues of the deal.
More Talks Due In Postal Dispute
The leaders of the Communication Workers' Union are due to meet with Royal Mail management for further talks on Thursday to decide whether to recommend an offer on pay and conditions to their members. The union reportedly wants to clarify outstanding issues of the deal.
24 November 2011
'Questions Remain' Despite Murdoch Jnr Resignation
Labour's Media Secretary has said that James Murdoch still had questions to answer despite stepping down from the board of News Group Newspapers. News International, a News Corp.
'Questions Remain' Despite Murdoch Jnr Resignation
Labour's Media Secretary has said that James Murdoch still had questions to answer despite stepping down from the board of News Group Newspapers. News International, a News Corp.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.