Former Grade II Listed Carnegie Library reimagined as family restaurant and digital hub
Crosby’s former Carnegie Library is to be carefully restored and renovated into an innovative flexible office space, digital hub and family restaurant.
Local restaurateurs Moose Coffee are to partner in this exciting project – returning home to Crosby with a new flagship eatery. A new digital hub is also proposed in the former library, providing accessible digital resources, meeting rooms and co-working desks.
Consultation
A public consultation event will take place in the library from 10am to 12pm, and 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday 20th December. Members of the public are invited to go along and view the plans, speak to the designers and comment on the scheme.
A planning application is being proposed by local businesses Cunard Construction and Moose Coffee. The transformation will carefully preserve the building’s existing architectural features while sensitively incorporating new contemporary office spaces, kitchen and bathroom welfare facilities alongside new energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems.
Digital hub
New mezzanine floors will take advantage of the buildings high vaulted ceilings and provide visitors with an appreciation of the building from heights never experienced before. The library’s central space will be fully transformed into a new ‘digital hub’ – blending the ethos of a traditional lending library with the modern facilities of a 21st century internet tech-hub.
Building on the success of their six existing eateries, Moose Coffee will be taking the south wing of the building providing a stunning new family restaurant split across two levels with additional outdoor eating areas.
The north wing of the building will be transformed into a stunning new flexible office space to provide key commercial workspace to support local businesses.
Valued asset
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “Carnegie Library is a valued asset for both the Council and the local community and its heritage status is widely recognised.
“As often happens with projects of this size, there have been delays, however I am delighted that the development plans are now moving forward to create a flexible business hub for start-up and smaller businesses, and with confirmation of the presence of Moose Coffee in the south wing of the building within the heart of Crosby.
“The proposals put forward by Cunard Construction give us an exciting insight into how this much loved building will be given a new lease of life, bringing it back in to use serving our valued communities”
Potential
Cunard Construction has appointed local architecture and design practice Unit3 to assist in the proposals – realising the full potential of the building – as well as managing the ongoing consultation process between stakeholders, councillors and the local community.
On Tuesday 20th December the building will be open to the public from 10am to 12pm, and 4pm to 6pm giving visitors the opportunity to view the plans and images of the proposal and provide an opportunity to give comments and ask the design team any questions.
Unique blend
Architect Martin Shutt said: “As a company we are very proud to be involved in the refurbishment and renovation of the Grade II Listed Carnegie Library and to have produced a design that provides such a unique blend of functionality.
“The standard of finishes and attention to detail permitted throughout the design is of such a high quality, it demonstrates the Cunard’s investment and commitment to supporting not only the future legacy of the library, but also the communities strong attachment that is associated with this well-loved building.”