Ashton Library is an important community asset, Wigan Council affirms

Ashton Library is an important community asset, Wigan Council affirms

Ashton Library is not earmarked for closure and a partnership approach to writing a new chapter in its history is underway, Wigan Council has said.

The Grade II listed building on Wigan Road is currently closed as extensive maintenance work is required.

Earlier this month, surveyors visited the site with council officers as work progresses to assess the extent of what is required to bring it back into use.

Library services are currently being delivered from The Pavilion in Jubilee Park in the meantime.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, said: “We know how important this Carnegie library is to the community and we are working with expert surveyors to understand what work is needed.

“We want everyone to be on the same page when it comes to the future of this iconic building; this is about keeping Ashton Library open and getting it back up and running.”

Initially closed for essential maintenance work, surveys highlighted more extensive damage, particularly to the roof.

With public support behind a campaign to reopen the library, Councillor Ready is working with fellow councillors, council officials, stakeholders, and Makerfield MP Josh Simons to find a solution.

Speaking about the situation, Josh Simons MP said: "I know that Ashton and Bryn residents love the library, something they made really clear in the community meetings I helped to run about how to save it.

“It is a beautiful building and it's used so much by our community. I'm going to fight alongside local Councillors to do everything we can to save it. I know that the state of the building is a lot worse than we realised before, but it's worth fighting for."

Following the completion of restoration and conservation surveys, currently being undertaken by third-party contractors, the council will learn the estimated cost of repairing the historic building.

It is then hoped that a timeline for the building’s restoration can be established.

Coun Ready added: “We’re proud that our libraries across the borough continue to flourish when unfortunately we have seen fellow authorities across the country forced to close them during the past decade.

“Our libraries offer amazing support and facilities; we are working as hard as we can as a council – along with interested parties – to find a solution. Closure is not on our agenda.”

For more information, visit our library services webpages.