St Helens Borough Council has launched a public consultation on a proposal to relocate Newton-le-Willows Library from its current home on Crow Lane East to the refurbished Earlestown Town Hall.
The consultation, which runs until Tuesday, 22 September, asks library users, local residents and community groups to share their views on the potential move, which the council says would form part of a new “One Neighbourhood Community Hub” at the Grade II listed town hall building.
The library on Crow Lane East has served local people since 1909, when it was funded by a £4,000 grant from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. It is a locally listed heritage asset – a designation formally adopted by St Helens Borough Council in January 2026 to recognise buildings of local historic and architectural interest.
The possible relocation was first outlined in the council’s Library Strategy 2023-2028 – drawn up under the previous Labour administration – and the proposal has prompted a strong reaction from many local people, with questions about what the move would mean for the existing building, and whether Earlestown Town Hall would be a suitable home for library services.
Cllr Terry Maguire, Newton-le-Willows Independents (Newton West), acknowledged the strength of feeling but said the case for the move deserved serious consideration: “Newton-le-Willows has every reason to be proud of its library and the history behind it. For many of us, it is much more than just a building. It is part of the history of our town. But being proud of our past doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also look to the future.”
He said the town hall location could offer advantages, including proximity to Earlestown Bus Station, potential for improved parking, and the chance to create community space alongside the library. However, he added that the future of the existing building must not be overlooked: “The future of the existing Carnegie Library building must also be properly considered. It is an important part of our heritage and should not simply be forgotten. There would need to be an assurance from the council that a proper options appraisal for the Carnegie building be carried out before any potential move was carried out.”
And he concluded: “My view is simple as a local councillor; I will always support the voice of the people of this town.”
Fellow Newton West councillor Craig Smith, also of Newton-le-Willows Independents, echoed concerns about the quality of information available to residents: “A very emotive topic for many, but ultimately at this stage all we actually have is a consultation on the concept. There are still some major questions which need answering around the detail, before a truly informed decision can be reached.”
St Helens North MP David Baines (Labour) also raised questions about transparency: “On the face of it this might make sense, and the restoration of the historic town hall by the previous Labour council certainly creates a lot of opportunities. My questions would be what this would mean for the future of the current library building, and what are the full range of options being considered for the use of the town hall – if the library moves there, what comes out of it, and if it doesn’t, what goes in? There are a lot of moving pieces and I’m not sure residents are being given enough information to provide an informed response.”
Cllr Stephen Claybrook (Reform UK), Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “Libraries play a vital role in our communities and it is important that local people have the opportunity to tell us what matters most to them. We encourage everyone who uses Newton-le-Willows Library, our library members and residents in both communities to take part in the consultation and share their views. Your feedback will be crucial as we work to ensure that library services remain sustainable, accessible and responsive to local needs.”
The consultation asks how people currently use the library and how they travel to Crow Lane East, and whether a move to the town hall would make it easier or harder to access services. Respondents can also raise concerns and suggest ways these might be addressed. The council is also asking what people would most like to see in any future library space – including children’s facilities, study areas, digital services and community activities.
The Earlestown Town Hall refurbishment is being delivered as part of the wider Earlestown regeneration programme, involving St Helens Borough Council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse. Handover of the site from main contractors HH Smith is expected in the coming weeks.
The consultation questionnaire is available online at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/UMIEQG/. Paper copies are also available at Newton-le-Willows Library on Crow Lane East. The deadline for responses is Tuesday, 22 September.