The historic listed building in the centre of Stalybridge that's going to be transformed
The Grade‑II listed building at the heart of Stalybridge, home to Astley Cheetham Art Gallery and its historic library, is set for a £1.8m makeover. The project aims to revive the Jacobean Revival façade and interior while respecting its listed status.
Inside, a new wall will be stripped, floors and ceilings refreshed, and a modern yet sympathetic lift installed to connect basement and first floor. An accessible toilet and a re‑imagined entrance will replace the old rear door, improving visitor flow.
The refurbishment is part of a broader cultural‑quarter regeneration, following the recent Civic Hall upgrade. Structural repairs, upgraded lighting, and a central art display will give the space a cleaner, more dignified feel without erasing its historic character.
Planners stress that the work will not over‑modernise the library; instead it will reveal and enhance the original features that give the building its distinctive charm.