In 2011 the former library in Wooler was transferred to Glendale Gateway Trust for conversion to affordable homes. The asset transfer was part of a much bigger project which involved the relocation of the library service to The Cheviot Centre – a community resource centre developed owned and managed by Glendale Gateway Trust. Taking an innovative approach Northumberland County Council and the Trust agreed to link the main reception of The Cheviot Centre with Library and TIC duties and to jointly manage them.
“There was an immediate uplift in the library service following the move” reported Tom Johnston CEO of Glendale Gateway Trust “The library had been open only 12hrs per week but linking the facilities made it far more accessible and opening hours trebled. Book lending increased dramatically too.”
Seven years on the system is still working well and has proven a model for other communities.
Conversion to housing
The former library had been built as a 19th Century school and was a listed building. Part of the deal was that the Trust registered as a social landlord and this became the first project the Trust worked on that received funding support through the then Homes and Communities Agency.
Additional support came from the Vinson Charitable Trust and the building was carefully converted to two single-storey dwellings.
Overall conversion costs were around £120,000.
“The properties are close to town centre shops and services so were ideally suited to older people.”
The opening also coincided with the closure of a sheltered housing scheme in Wooler so the Trust were able to offer the properties to older residents made homeless by the move.
Pictured is initial residents of the Old Library Wooler.
