Northwich Library welcomed a very special visitor on the 14th October, as Sir Hugo Brunner, the great grandson of Sir John Tomlinson Brunner, was given a tour around the library building, which is currently being renovated ahead of reopening in 2027. Sir Hugo’s father, Sir Felix Brunner, opened the extension to the current library in 1951 and his great grandfather, Sir John Tomlinson Brunner, commissioned the construction of the original Northwich Library building.
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The final stages of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s structural renovation and internal refurbishment of Northwich Library began in June and are being delivered by H.H. Smith & Sons Co Ltd.
The construction programme includes extensive internal and external restoration works, supported by the Council’s capital funding and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Libraries Improvement Fund, administered by Arts Council England.
The ambitious refurbishment programme will deliver the comprehensive restoration of both the building’s interior and exterior, carefully preserving its historic character while introducing modern facilities to meet the needs of today’s library users. A key element of the scheme is the transformation of the 1970s rear extension into a flexible multi-purpose space with a new accessible entrance, allowing parts of the building to operate independently from the main library.
Alongside the restoration of original architectural features, the project will improve accessibility, enhance energy efficiency and create welcoming spaces for learning, community activities and employment support. Plans include a modern library environment, flexible meeting and activity spaces, and a dedicated Skills and Employment Hub, ensuring the building continues to serve the community for generations to come.
Public engagement has remained central to the design process, with feedback from local residents and stakeholders helping to shape proposals and ensure the revitalised library reflects the needs and aspirations of the community it serves.
Ellis Williams Architects is working as part of a specialist consultant team including Clancy, Curtins, KOK, Hepworth Acoustics, Jensen Hughes and Hannah Wehbeh Interior Design to deliver a sensitive yet forward-thinking restoration. Together, the team aims to secure the long-term future of this important heritage asset while creating a vibrant, sustainable and accessible destination for the people of Northwich.
Image Credits – H.H. Smith & Sons Co Ltd and Axis Imaging