A £5 MILLION Heritage Hub 'telling the story' of the town for generations to come could be opened in the existing Warrington Library building in 2019.
LiveWire and Culture Warrington are working together to expand their offers of library and heritage services and will be campaigning for funds to turn the vision into a reality.
The sister organisations have today, Thursday, revealed plans to bring the hub to Warrington, in a move which will see the library expand from the Grade II listed building, on Museum Street, into the heart of the town centre next year.
Proposed locations are currently being explored by LiveWire bosses and they confirmed it will allow for a 'larger variety' of activities and longer opening hours, as well as improved accessibility.
The expansion will provide users with a 'modern, exciting and interactive environment' and is set to increase the number of digital opportunities available.
The construction of a Heritage Hub will add to the existing offer provided by Culture Warrington.
It will provide residents with greater avenues to access the heritage and history of the town.
The hub will also serve as a base for outreach activities that the organisation plans to deliver in communities and will create links to LiveWire hubs across the borough.
New gallery space would be developed at the site, as well as the creation of learning spaces, which could be used by schools to teach youngsters about Warrington's rich history.
Details revealed to the Warrington Guardian show communities could get the opportunity to see 'fascinating' graphics, some in 3D, of the town's heritage being portrayed across the different sites in the borough through the latest digital technology.
Collections, heritage and archives manager at Warrington Museum Janice Hayes said the base will provide the platform for communities to 'feed' in and receive information from the museum.
"The project is all about telling the story of Warrington better," she added.
"We will be able to feed information out to the districts and they can then feed it back from the LiveWire hubs – we want to link it with all the areas in Warrington.
"It will be easier for people to find connections and information about historic collections.
"This is about showing the people's story of Warrington and to create an intriguing experience.
"It will give groups the chance to share information and will be really inspiring."
LiveWire and Culture Warrington managing director Jan Souness said the move will give the town the chance to truly 'bring its heritage to life'.
She is also predicting it to bring people together for 'generations to come'.
Culture Warrington will apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant making organisations next year to fund the £4-5 million project.
If the application successful work will begin to create the Heritage Hub in early 2018, with completion tipped to be early in 2019.
Cllr Kate Hannon, executive member for leisure, community and culture, added: "We are committed to creating the Heritage Hub – the funding will enable it to be amazing."
Warrington Museum celebrated its 160th anniversary in September.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel