Cabinet approves funding for next phase of the Gamble Building restoration
St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet have approved £1.408m of funding to move to the next stage of the major restoration project that will see the transformation of the historic Gamble Building in St Helens town centre.
Article date: 20 November 2025
The funding will be used to carry out essential internal enabling works including asbestos removal, removal of redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and the stripping of flooring and false ceilings to prepare the site for main works. Enabling works will begin on site in early 2026, with the Archive being temporarily relocated to the World of Glass beforehand.
It will also enable the project to move to the detailed design stage (RIBA Stage 4), providing the Council a clear picture of the overall cost and delivery programme for completing the full restoration of this landmark building. This will allow preparation and submission of a planning application early in the New Year.
To guide the planning submission a public engagement event will be held to showcase the proposals and invite feedback. The plans will include new fully accessible entrance foyer, a state-of-the-art St Helens Library, a purpose-built archive facility, engaging and inclusive youth hub, and Business Connect service as well as a new café and communal spaces.
The Gamble Building, which was closed to the public due to structural issues, has already undergone around £1.2m of external repair works, including improvements to the roofing and drainage systems, the installation of new windows, and extensive restoration of the brickwork and terracotta features.
The restoration of the Gamble Building forms part of a wider Council commitment, outlined in the St Helens Borough Strategy, to restore and protect historic buildings in the borough to safeguard their future public use. Works are underway on Earlestown Town Hall and plans are progressing to bring the Grade II listed Earlestown Railway Station building back into full use.
In addition to Council and partner investment, the private sector is demonstrating confidence in the ongoing regeneration works with recent planning applications received for developments at the heritage assets of Wolverhampton House and the Raven Lodge in St Helens town centre.
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said:
"This is an exciting step in the restoration of the much-loved Gamble Building and builds on the positive progress that has taken place to date.
"As a Council we are committed to returning the Gamble to its rightful status as a welcoming, inclusive, community hub that will sit at the heart of the reimagined St Helens town centre.
"Historic buildings such as the Gamble are a vital part of the borough's identity and the people of St Helens deserve a building that reflects the ambitions of the town and, in the New Year, I look forward to sharing our vision for the Living Room of the Town Centre"