Council to undertake further work on Newton-le-Willows Library proposals following public feedback
St Helens Borough Council has provided an update on proposals relating to the future location of Newton-le-Willows Library following an initial public consultation.
Article date: 11 November 2026
In September, the council launched an engagement exercise to seek residents' views on the potential relocation of Newton-le-Willows Library to the newly restored Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall. The consultation formed part of ongoing discussions arising from the borough's Library Strategy, adopted by the previous council administration in 2023.
The consultation formed part of the council's ongoing review of library provision and was undertaken to identify the key issues that would need to be addressed before any future decision on the proposal could be considered.
The exercise sought feedback on whether, in principle, the relocation could deliver improved facilities, enhanced accessibility and greater opportunities for community use, while supporting the wider regeneration of Earlestown town centre.
The council would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the consultation and share their views. The feedback received has provided valuable insight into the issues that matter most to residents and library users.
While respondents expressed reservations about the proposal, the consultation clearly identified two principal areas where further information and assurance are needed. The most frequently raised concerns related to whether Earlestown Town Hall could accommodate the full range of existing library services, activities and resources, and what the future of the historic Carnegie library building would be should a relocation be pursued.
In light of the feedback received, the council is undertaking further design and feasibility work to address the key concerns raised by residents.
This work will provide greater clarity and assurance that the full range of library services can be accommodated within Earlestown Town Hall, while also exploring options to secure a sustainable and positive future for the historic Carnegie library building. No decisions will be taken until this additional work has been completed and shared with the community.
Officers will develop detailed spatial designs and visuals that demonstrate how library services, activities, community groups and local history resources could be accommodated within Earlestown Town Hall. This programme of work has been commissioned directly in response to concerns raised through the consultation.
The council also recognises the historic, architectural and community significance of the existing Carnegie library building. Any future proposals would seek to secure its long-term future and ongoing contribution to the community, in line with the council's Asset Strategy, Asset Management Plan and Community Asset Transfer Policy.
Once completed, the detailed designs and visualisations, together with information on potential future uses for the existing library building, will be published and subject to further public engagement. This will ensure residents and library users have the information needed to fully understand and comment on any future proposals.
In December there will be an opportunity for the public to view the footprint of a potentially relocated library. The Council Leader has already extended an invitation to the Newton and District Veterans Association to visit the newly refurbished Town Hall.
Councillor Stephen Claybrook, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said:
"I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation and share their views.
"The feedback has helped us better understand the concerns that residents and library users have about the proposals, and we recognise that those views come from a genuine passion for our library service and for the future of Newton-le-Willows.
"We believe there is potential to provide improved facilities and accessibility At Earlestown Town Hall while retaining all existing library services, activities and local history resources, as well as supporting the wider regeneration of Earlestown town centre.
"However, we understand that people want to see exactly how this could work in practice. That is why we are now developing more detailed plans and visuals, alongside exploring how we would protect the much-valued Carnegie building potential through an historic listing application and explore future uses for the building.
"I want to stress that no decisions have been made, and we remain committed to involving library users and stakeholders as proposals continue to develop."
Newton-le-Willows remains identified as one of the borough's core libraries within the adopted Library Strategy. There are currently no proposals to reduce library services, opening hours, staffing levels, access to books, activities or community programmes as part of any potential relocation. The aim of the programme is to improve library services.
Residents can view a virtual fly-through of Earlestown Town Hall on the council's YouTube channel and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the proposals.