First look at Golden Square Shopping Centre museum and library

Services will be moved from the current historic site on the corner of Bold Street and Museum Street for around six months due to the grade two-listed building requiring urgent repairs to its roof.

Emma Hutchinson, managing director of Culture Warrington and Livewire, said: "Staff from the museum and library have been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to create an inspiring new space for our visitors, and I’m thrilled with the results.

"Featuring highlights from both the museum and library, the pop-up is an exciting, engaging burst of cultural activity that will grow and develop over the coming weeks as Covid restrictions begin to lift.

"Although it’s disappointing not to be reopening in our own home for now, we’re delighted to be able to continue providing these much-loved services for the community through our pop-up museum and library.

"Both Warrington Museum and Warrington Library are integral to the fabric of the town centre, so the continuation of cultural provision during this temporary closure was a project we were determined to deliver.”

Services including book borrowing, IT and archives as well as highlights from the museum’s collections will be open to the public between 10am and 4.30pm on weekdays, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sundays in the unit next to Waterstones.

Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for arts and culture Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said: “The refurbishment of Warrington Museum and Library is a vital part of our work to protect one of our key cultural assets for the future.

“While this work is carried out it’s vital that we continue to provide a focal point to celebrate our rich cultural heritage, particularly as more and more people return to the town centre.

“The new pop-up museum and library in its prominent town centre position will enable us to do just that.

“I’m looking forward to it welcoming people of all ages, ensuring we continue to tell Warrington’s story and keep everyone connected to culture until the refurbishment works are complete.”

WBC’s cabinet member for leisure and community Cllr Tony Higgins added: “We’ve made a commitment to invest in the future of our libraries and Warrington Library, which is 164 years old and a grade two-listed building, is an important part of that.

“These renovation and repair works are about preserving our heritage and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the first rate-supported library in the UK, so it is fit for the future.

“I’m delighted that while this vital work project is carried out Warrington Museum and Library’s services will be moving to a new temporary home in the heart of our town.

“The pop-up museum and library in Golden Square is ideally placed to serve as a hive of literature, learning, creativity, heritage and culture to be enjoyed by everyone who visits our town centre.”