News Item

Carnegie project cash boost

Plans to create a major new community facility with Crosby’s former Carnegie Library have received a £13,000 boost from two national funding sources.

Bootle-based Regenerus, who were awarded a 21-year lease on the Grade II listed College Road building by Sefton Council, need £1.25 million to carry out their ambitious proposals of breathing fresh life into the historic building.

The aim has been helped after they received £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and a further £3,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

The money will enable Regenerus to further test the viability of reopening the facility, built in 1905, as a community hub for local people of all ages.

It will also enable the regeneration specialists to to hold more consultation events to gather views of residents on what they would like to see the building used for.

Proposals include renovation of the building, and creating a space for a range of activities including a community information point, free-to-access computer facilities and a book exchange, training rooms, a music and arts area and a cafe.

The proposals  also include creating a dedicated area for children and teenagers to read and learn, and a dementia-friendly space for older residents.

A renovated Carnegie Library would also provide meeting facilities for Crosby-based clubs and societies, and functions space available for private hire.

Regenerus Chief Executive Cate Murphy said: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund.

“Their funding moves us another step closer to bringing this iconic building back into community  use.  We have also had a lot of backing from local ward councillors, including a grant from Sefton Council’s Community Transition Fund.

“All this support will help us make quicker progress towards raising the £1.25 million to reopen this historic building.”

Sara Hilton, head of HLF North West, said: “The Carnegie Library is an important building and a much-loved local landmark. Regenerus have exciting ideas to bring it back into use and we’re delighted to be able to  fund this initial work to test and develop these plans.

“We look forward to seeing how things progress over the coming months.”

Ian Morrison, from the Architectural Heritage Fund,  added: “AHF grants help community enterprises to start and grow, using historic buildings for public benefit.

“We are please to be supporting Regenerus’s efforts to explore the viability of finding sustainable new community uses for this important building.”