Radcliffe Enterprise Centre and Library update

Work is about to start on creating the new Radcliffe Enterprise Centre which will give local businesses a huge boost.

It will be based in the existing Radcliffe Library building in Stand Lane, providing a purpose-built base for small and start-up businesses.

The £1.7 million project has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£1.2m) and Bury Council (£500k).

The library itself will remain at Stand Lane, on the first floor, until it moves into new purpose-built premises at the £40 million Civic Hub which is currently under construction.

The full library service will continue to be provided, including space for community groups, reference, ICT, and a children’s library.

Arrangements have been made to ensure everyone can access and use the first-floor facilities, with staircase and lift access to the upper floor.   

Timeline:

• November to December 2024:  The library will be closed for 4 weeks from 1pm on Saturday 2 November until 10am on Tuesday 3 December while it is relocated to the first floor. During this period, alternative library services will be available at branches in Bury, Prestwich and Ramsbottom.  (More details below)

• December 2024: The Enterprise Centre construction programme begins. During the construction works any disruption to library services will be kept to a minimum. After the construction works are complete, the library will remain on the first floor until Radcliffe Hub is ready to be occupied in 2026.

 The Enterprise Centre will have two floors: 

Ground floor:  

• Shared desks anyone can use (hot desks) 

• 8 rentable offices 

• Meeting room 

• Areas to have informal meetings 

• Access to wi-fi throughout building  

• Kitchen space 

• Printed and online resources  

• Advice and information 

First floor (once the library has moved to the Hub in 2026): 

• Meeting rooms 

• Flexible spaces areas to work 

More information about the Enterprise Centre and the new library coming to Radcliffe Hub will be available at these information events, all held at Radcliffe Library:

• Tuesday 29 October: 10am to 12pm
• Thursday 31 October: 4pm to 6pm
• Saturday 2 November: 10am to 1pm

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “Local jobs and support for new and small local businesses is an essential part of Radcliffe regeneration.

“Unemployment is higher in Radcliffe than in many other parts of the Bury borough. An enterprise centre can give people a place to work such as hot desks and small offices to rent as well as advice and resources from experts that's easy to use. This will help small businesses start up and grow, contributing to the long-term prosperity of Radcliffe and its people.” 

For more information about the enterprise centre and library move go to www.bury.gov.uk/planning-building-control/regeneration/radcliffe-regeneration/enterprise-centre-update

For all the details of the Radcliffe Regeneration plan, go to www.bury.gov.uk/radclifferegeneration

Cllr Morris added: “Radcliffe residents will soon have a fabulous new library in the Hub we are currently building in the town centre, alongside a new leisure centre and wellbeing services.

“We were keen that local people could still access library facilities in the meantime, so it made sense to move upstairs at the existing building rather than move to a new location entirely.

“We want to thank everyone for their patience during this transitional period before Radcliffe Library gets its permanent new home.”

During the closure period:

• Prestwich, Ramsbottom and Bury Libraries are open as usual (Tues, Weds and Fri 10am-4.30pm, Thurs 12.30-7pm) and Ramsbottom and Bury (Saturday 9.30am-1pm) and Prestwich (Sunday 9.30am-1pm).
  
• Books borrowed from Radcliffe Library after 12 October will not be due back until 3 December or later.
• There will be a ’returns only’ service in the foyer of Radcliffe Library (details of times will be added to the library website). Customers will be contacted about picking up Reserved books, and there will be no fines on overdue books borrowed from Radcliffe during this period.

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 October 2024.