Cabinet to consider next stage of Gamble Building restoration
St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet will be asked to consider £1.408m of funding to move to the next stage of the major restoration project that will see the Gamble Building brought back into full, sustainable use for future generations in accordance with commitments made in the St Helens Borough Strategy.
Article date: 12 November 2025
The proposals come following Cabinet previously approving a five-phase work plan to secure the long term future of the building:
- Phase 1 - Detailed community consultation
- Phase 2 - Detailed structural surveys
- Phase 3 - External works programme to be delivered
- Phase 4 - Internal works and design surveys
- Phase 5 - Internal works programme to be delivered
As part of Phase 4, Cabinet will be asked to approve the investment that marks the next step in the Gamble's restoration journey. The funding will be used to carry out essential internal enabling works. This will include asbestos removal, removal of redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and the stripping of flooring and false ceilings to prepare the site for main works.
It will also fund the detailed design needed to reach the next milestone (RIBA Stage 4), giving 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.
This follows around £1.2m being spent on comprehensive external repair works, which included improvements to the roofing and drainage systems, the installation of new windows, and extensive restoration of the brickwork and terracotta features completed during Phase 3.
To allow the enabling works to progress, the Archive will be temporary relocated to the World of Glass in late 2025.
Once complete, the Gamble Building will house 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.
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said:
"The restoration of the Gamble Building has not been without its challenges, both in terms of funding and the complexity of working within such an historic building, but it is encouraging to see the positive progress that has taken place to date.
"As a Council we are committed to returning this much-loved building to the people of St Helens as a vibrant community hub that will serve our residents for generations to come. Our vision for the Gamble to be the Living Room of the Town Centre, providing a welcoming, inclusive and accessible space for all has not wavered and this funding will take us one step closer to achieving this goal."