Historic reading room given new lease of life

WORK has started on a major renovation of an historic reading room with building conservation specialists William Anelay appointed as contractor.

The Grenoside Reading Room near Sheffield dates back to 1737 and the renovation project recently received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £218,900.
 
Work on the venue will involve the demolition of an existing adjoined building and the creation of a new build extension as well as fabric repairs and remodelling of the main building.

Work is scheduled to last 17 weeks and it is expected to be open to the public by the end of April.
 
York and Manchester-based William Anelay was established in 1747 and is believed to be the second oldest construction firm in the UK. The business will be working closely with architects Elden Minns & Co of Sheffield on the project.
 
Tony Townend, Anelay’s managing director, said: “We are delighted that our tender has been successful for what is such a historically important and popular venue for local people.
 
“The work carried out on the building will protect it for generations to come and it will continue to serve the local community’s needs.”
 
Originally a school, the grade two-listed venue became a reading room and library in 1893.

The restoration scheme will see it transformed into a hub for the local community focusing on the provision of heritage and conservation learning activities for people of all ages.