Library to be restored to old glory

One of Stourbridge's oldest and most historic buildings is set to be restored to its former glory after standing empty for more than four years.

Work on the former town library and Living Gallery, in Church Street, is due to begin in the next few weeks after being purchased by Redditch architects BBLB. The building, constructed more than a century ago, will be converted into new offices for the company, and staff now based in Redditch and Bridgnorth will move to the site.

Preparation work has been going ahead for the past few months but the contract for the main work is set to be awarded within the next week.

BBLB bosses have been in constant talks with Dudley Council over development of the site and how to best preserve its historic features.

BBLB partner John Bradshaw said: "We are determined to preserve as much of the historical integrity of the building as we can.

"The preliminary works we have been doing over the past months have been very valuable and helped us to assess what can be saved and which features can be incorporated into the new designs.

"It is an interesting challenge to work on a building with such a fine historical pedigree.

"We do not want to compromise the site's unique character nor its importance to Stourbridge's heritage."

He said tenders for the work had been received and analysed over the past few months with the main contract now set to be awarded.

A date for staff to be moved into the new building will not be agreed until the new year.

The building, which is 24,000sq ft and Grade II-listed, was purchased by the company earlier this year.

It was previously owned by Stourbridge College, which used the site for its Living Gallery and lecture rooms until 2004 when it was closed to cut costs, despite protests from students and staff.

It was put on the market in early 2007.