Work to demolish the former Stocksbridge Library building to make way for a new community hub and public space is due to begin next week.
On Monday (15th September), contracted constructor R G Carter will begin demolition of the existing building on Manchester Road in the town centre so that construction of the Stocksbridge Hub 519 can then commence.
Residents will have seen hoardings go up around the existing building these past weeks. R G Carter have been present in the building since last month (August), preparing for the demolition to begin.
The demolition includes the existing former Stocksbridge Library building and adjacent former St Luke’s Charity Shop to construct the new multi-storey hub.
The Stocksbridge Hub 519 building is one of the major pieces of work being undertaken as part of the Stocksbridge Towns Fund projects. Scheduled for a Spring 2027 opening, it will sit in between Manchester Road and Button Row, near to the junction of Manchester Road and Johnson Street.
The Hub 519 will be the new home of a modern library for Stocksbridge, aligned with flexible, state-of-the-art spaces for business, training and community use. It will encourage collaboration between businesses in the digital, tech, creative, clean growth, professional, scientific and technical sectors, creating highly productive, high value jobs.
The town’s library service will also move into the Hub 519, replacing the current temporary library site across the road in the IKON Church building.
To complete this work, R G Carter has set up a compound for welfare and contractor parking; where possible, on the land formerly used for the Stocksbridge Recycling Centre, close to the Co-op store off Johnson Street.
Road closures on Button Row and the footways surrounding the site, including the cut through from Button Row to Manchester Road, were previously announced and are already in place via vehicle restraint barriers.
Ian Sanderson, Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board member with responsibility for the Stocksbridge Hub 519 project, said: “We are delighted to get to this stage of the project now where residents, business owners and visitors in Stocksbridge will see visible change in the development of this community hub and public space.
“The Stocksbridge Hub 519 will be a breath of fresh air for the town centre. It will provide a space where people can come together to access vital services, take part in community projects and socialise with their neighbours and friends.
“We look forward to this work progressing and being able to share updates for the community on major milestones being hit and who will be moving in to occupy space at the hub.”
Darren Chiumento, Project Manager for the Stocksbridge Hub 519 site at R G Carter, said: “We are delighted to be able to commence works on the construction of this new community hub and library, collaborating with Sheffield County Council and Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board to deliver their future vision.
“Our team are thankful to everyone that has helped get his project to this initial stage and to the local residents and stakeholders for their positive welcome to the town. We are now eager to start this fantastic facility, and we look forward to delivering the many benefits it will bring to the local community, and it’s part in the Manchester Road transformation.”
Image courtesy of R G Carter