New centre to nurture business innovation and create more jobs

A £2.8 million six-month conversion project is about to begin at the current Radcliffe Library building in Stand Lane, to turn the ground floor into Radcliffe’s new enterprise centre.

Funded by UK Government (£1.9m) and Bury Council (£900k), the enterprise centre will provide much needed flexible working space, along with meeting rooms and business support services. It will also help small businesses start up and grow.

The conversion will begin after a site compound has been established to support the contractor’s day-to-day operations.

Radcliffe Library will be open as usual on the first floor until the £40 million Radcliffe Hub, currently being built in Radcliffe town centre, is ready to move into after spring 2026.

For the period of the conversion works, parking at the library will be reduced to house the contractor’s site compound. However, a minimum of four spaces will be retained for on-site visitor parking. There will be two standard and two disabled parking bays.

Cllr Charlotte Morris, Cabinet member for Culture, Economy and Skills, said: “The start of conversion works for the new enterprise centre marks a bold step forward for Radcliffe’s economic future. By providing vital support to startups and growing businesses, this hub will not only help spark innovation and entrepreneurship but also create jobs, attract investment, and breathe new life into the local economy.

"Unemployment is currently higher in Radcliffe than in other parts of the Bury borough, so this new facility is going to make a real difference to Radcliffe and its people.”

While initially the centre will be confined to the ground floor, after the library moves out, it will be expanded to the rest of the building.

On the ground floor there will be hot desks, 8 rentable offices, a meeting room, areas for informal meetings, access to WiFi, kitchen space, printed and online resources, advice and information. After the library relocates to the town centre more works will follow to the first floor to provide extra meeting rooms and flexible spaces to work.

The nearby Riverside Car Park which has been closed is planned to reopen during early June. This will provide alternative parking for the library within 100 metres of the entrance.

For more information about the conversion works and Radcliffe Enterprise Centre visit https://www.bury.gov.uk/planning-building-control/regeneration/radcliffe-regeneration/enterprise-centre-update