Historic mill could become library's new home

Councillor Peter Buckley at the Queen Street Mill

A library that closed eight years ago could find a new home in a Victorian mill.

The former Briercliffe Library has remained shut since 2016, when it was closed down at the same time as the nearby Queen Street Mill museum.

The museum, which is home to rare industrial collections including working machinery, reopened in 2018.

Now Lancashire County Council is set to discuss proposals to house the library in Grade I listed building.

'Much-needed library'

It could be situated in the museum’s entrance gallery, the authority said.

County councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “Queen Street Mill is an incredible and highly important local heritage asset, allowing us to preserve the legacy of our industrial past.

"We hope that by moving a step closer to opening a much-needed library in this historically significant building, it will allow a vital service to continue for the local community."