Plans to bring historic St Helens building back into use set for approval
The Gamble Institute has been closed since 2017 after being deemed unsafe
Plans to carry out works to a historic building in St Helens town centre look set for approval.
An application relating to The Gamble Institute will come before the council’s planning committee on Tuesday.
It proposes a five-storey extension on the east elevation to form a new east facing entrance, improved internal circulation and storage, and fully accessible routes throughout the building and external alterations to the existing main building.
As stated in a report to the committee, The Gamble Institute is a “highly prominent” building located within Victoria Square Conservation Area. It is also located within the setting of the George Street Quarter Conservation Area, located to the east of the building.
“In 2017, The Gamble Institute building closed to the public due to structural issues making it unsafe,” says the report.
“Since closing to the public extensive works have taken place to repair the structure, preserve the building and mitigate any further damage.
“In October 2019, a project to restore the Gamble Building began which was split into a five-phase work programme to bring the building back into full use.
“This proposal will follow on from that project pursuant to restoration and reopening of the building.
“This proposal is for a five-storey flat roof contemporary extension on the east elevation of The Gamble Building to serve as the building’s primary entrance and archive storage.”
The application is being recommended for approval, subject to conditions.
“The upgraded facilities within the existing building would allow for the return of the library, offices and a new youth hub provision and across the building there would be options for flexible and programmable spaces,” adds the report.
“The proposal would help bring back into use a key heritage asset of St Helens, allowing access for valued community services including a library and youth hub and office space for public servants.
“It would support town centre regeneration and make the building fully accessible.”