Residents of Crawshawbooth in Rossendale are to benefit from a £495,000 capital investment programme to extend and refurbish the local library and youth and community centre.

The decision by Lancashire County Council, agreed jointly by the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, will mean the complete refurbishment of the existing premises, improved facilities and the provision of new services for the whole community.


The funding will mean the acquisition by the county council of the current leasehold of both premises at 2 and 4 Adelaide Street at the cost of £145,000 - £95,000 to be met by Youth Capital funding and £50,000 from part of the county council's Libraries Regenerate programme.

A further £350,000 of the £1.5m Libraries Regenerate Phase 2 budget will be used to extend and refurbish the existing library and youth and community centre. This will ensure premises are fully accessible for people with disabilities and mobility problems and create more flexible spaces to meet the needs of families and young people, in particular.

A number of options are being considered for the redevelopment of the library and adjoining premises.

The proposed refurbishment will see the library double in size and include a new roof, windows, rewiring, and heating system and improved thermal and fire resisting efficiencies.

(CD/JM)