Radcliffe library will close for a month as work begins on creating an ‘enterprise centre’.

The £1.7 million centre will be based in the existing library building in Stand Lane, providing a purpose-built base for small and start-up businesses.

The project has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, who have invested £1.2m, and Bury Council, who have injected £500k.

The library will remain at Stand Lane, on the first floor, until it moves into new purpose-built premises at the £40 million Civic Hub, which is currently under construction nearby.

The library will be closed for four weeks from 1pm on Saturday, November 2 until 10am on Tuesday, December 2 while it is relocated to the first floor.

During this period, alternative library services will be available at branches in Bury, Prestwich and Ramsbottom.

After this, a full library service will continue to be provided, including space for community groups, reference, ICT, and a children’s library. Arrangements have been made to ensure everyone can access and use the first-floor facilities, with staircase and lift access to the upper floor.

The Enterprise Centre construction will begin in December. After it’s built, the library will remain on the first floor until Radcliffe Hub is ready to be occupied in 2026.

The Enterprise Centre will have two floors. The ground floor will have shared desks anyone can use (hot desks), eight rentable offices, a meeting room and areas to have informal meetings  along with kitchen space.

Once the library has moved to the hub in 2026 there will be more meeting rooms and flexible spaces areas to work created. Coun Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “Local jobs and support for new and small local businesses is an essential part of Radcliffe regeneration.

“Unemployment is higher in Radcliffe than in many other parts of the Bury borough.

An enterprise centre can give people a place to work such as hot desks and small offices to rent as well as advice and resources from experts that’s easy to use.

“This will help small businesses start up and grow, contributing to the long-term prosperity of Radcliffe and its people. Radcliffe residents will soon have a fabulous new library in the hub we are currently building in the town centre, alongside a new leisure centre and wellbeing services.

“We were keen that local people could still access library facilities in the meantime, so it made sense to move upstairs at the existing building rather than move to a new location entirely.”