Leek Library, Museum & Art Gallery Scheduled to Reopen
Leek’s Nicholson Institute museum and library are set to reopen on Monday 21 September following work to modernise and enhance the spaces and bring the lower ground floor back into use.
The Nicholson Institute is a spectacular Grade II listed Victorian building on Stockwell Street that houses a public library, museum, and art gallery. It was built between 1882 and 1884, it was commissioned and presented to the town by local silk manufacturer Joshua Nicholson.
SMDC (Staffordshire Moorlands District Council) led the project using government funding; this development forms part of their plan for wider regeneration of Leek town centre which has seen large scale investment in the health and wellbeing centre - MyActive Leek, and the rejuvenation of the indoor market so far.
The project at the Nicholson has been delivered in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, who hold it in trust, manage the library service, and contributed to the cost of the library refurbishment.
The art gallery has also been refreshed and the Robert Timmis mural has been restored as part of the project. The art gallery is set to re-open in October.
A spokesperson for SMDC said “These spaces have been re-imagined to improve the experience for visitors and library users and they’ve been given a fresh, contemporary look which respects the heritage of the building.
“Collectively, the three regeneration projects will ensure Leek has the cultural, leisure and wellbeing, and retail and business opportunities that our communities deserve and that will continue to attract visitors to the town and the wider area for many years to come.
“We’re delighted with the variety and quality of the amenities and are looking forward to for people to return to the Nicholson to experience it for themselves.”
Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said: “It’s great to see the refurbishment completed at the library and wonderful to be able to welcome back visitors. We were pleased to have funded the improvements which have helped create a welcoming, vibrant, modern and flexible space that also complements the proud and rich heritage of the Nicholson building.
“The library is now ideally placed and fully equipped to meet local residents’ needs. This means it will remain a bustling community hub by having comfortable study space, quality book stock, and an inspiring children’s library to support future readers for years to come.”
The District Council is working closely with the volunteers in the Friends of the Nicholson Institute group on the future operation and events programme for the museum and art gallery.
More details will be announced, including for the opening of the art gallery, in the coming weeks.
Leek Library, Museum & Art Gallery Scheduled to Reopen
