Bolton Central Library: Boost for new mezzanine floor plan

Bolton’s iconic Le Mans Crescent central library is currently undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment and restoration project that will see a new café and children’s area installed.

One of the most significant changes will be new mezzanine floor.

Cllr Martyn Cox in the library. Picture Paul Heyes

Speaking when the revamp was first announced, Bolton Council leader Cllr Martyn Cox said: “The library will become a new and exciting creative hub with facilities and event space to attract more visitors to Bolton, as well as benefitting our residents. 

The plans set out how the new floor will be installed (Image: Bolton Council)

"The spaces have been designed to complement the heritage of the Le Mans Crescent building and at the same time making it easier for staff to interact with visitors and vice versa.”

As of last month, Bolton Council has now lodged plans including further details of how the floors will be put in place.

The new floor will aim to provide what officials say will be a welcoming space for a variety of community and wellbeing groups to use and for different groups who visit the building.

The plans propose that mezzanine structural beams will be installed within the existing columns and will be held up using steel connections to the wall.

Bolton Library work. Picture Paul Heyes

It will be plastered over with materials consistent with the existing brickwork.

The work has been boosted by Historic England having confirmed that they are satisfied their organisation does not need to be notified or consulted.

Historic England works to ensure that building’s key to the country’s heritage, like Bolton Central Library, are preserved for future generations.

ALSO READ: 'Unique opportunity' to run cafe in one of Bolton's historic buildings

ALSO READ: First look at how Bolton library will look after spectacular £3.7m revamp

ALSO READ: Bolton Central Library to move to temporary home to allow refurbishment works

As well as the new floor the updated library will feature updated and improved digital facilities according to town hall officials, but they say that book lending and borrowing will stay at the core of what they do.

Since the works began last September library services have been temporarily moved to Crompton Place shopping centre.

Work is expected to be complete on the refurbishment later in the year with the Crompton Place library scheduled to close in August.