Planning application submitted for the Gamble Building Restoration project
St Helens Borough Council has formally submitted planning application proposals to extend and restore the much-loved historic Gamble Building in St Helens town centre. This follows a successful public engagement event held in January and subsequent completion of RIBA Design Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination).
Article date: 20 May 2026
The planning application submission will help realise the Council's vision to bring the St Helens Central Library back into the building as a modern and interactive facility allowing residents to 'dwell and learn' in the town's new high quality and inviting 'living room' - a place where everyone is welcome. The living room will house a new café and flexible and functional spaces where our residents and visitors can learn new skills, access high quality facilities and come together in an inclusive, welcoming space.
The iconic frontage of the Gamble Building on Victoria Square will be protected and preserved, with the construction of a contemporary extension on the rear of the building that is complementary to the historical building. The extension will provide for a new fully accessible entrance in line with the Equality Act and positively interface with the impressive new St Helens Transport Interchange, providing a welcoming entrance linking directly to the newly created Gamble Plaza and the wider Phase 1 town centre regeneration area.
The extended and restored building will also house a new state-of-the-art Archive facility, an engaging and inclusive youth hub, a Business Connect service, and communal spaces as well as office facilities.
Essential internal enabling works that include asbestos removal, removal of redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and the stripping of flooring and false ceilings to prepare the site for main works are being carried out by Liverpool City Region based Kroll Corlett.
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 heritage brickwork and terracotta features.
The Gamble Building project is being made possible through a variety of funding streams that the project team at St Helens Borough Council have secured or applied for. This includes the St Helens Council Capital Programme, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Town Deal Funding, and £2million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for regeneration initiatives.
Main works will begin subject to planning approval and main contractor procurement, with updates to be provided in the coming months.