£4m plan for iconic building to create TV and music ‘powerhouse’ for North Wales

An under-used former library is to be repurposed as a creativity hub. The Grade II-listed building in Wrexham will house recording studios, TV facilities and hi-tech production “labs”.

The transformation of the city’s Old Library on Queens Square reflects a move away from retail as planners fight to keep town centres “relevant”. Work is expected to begin this autumn, with the building scheduled to open in late summer or early autumn 2025.

The project is expected to cost just over £4m. Some £2.9m has come from the Welsh Government’s ‘Transforming Towns” programme with other grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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Wrexham Council, which owns the Old Library, said the hub will support entrepreneurs from the region’s creative industries. In December 2020, plans were announced to sell the building and just over a year ago the local authority tried to find a new occupier to “breathe fresh life into the property”.

By creating “three floors of creativity”, Wrexham Council hopes the building will now become a focal point for local groups, individuals and businesses. Flexible working and co-working spaces will be offered to entrepreneurial creatives. Other facilities include:

• Recording studios

• TV production facilities

• Workshops (to include hi-tech “labs” with laser cutters and 3D printers)

• Exhibition space

• Office space

Cllr Nigel Williams, lead member for economy and regeneration, said: “This is fantastic news and will transform a wonderful landmark city centre building into an exciting hub - future proofing and re-inventing itself to become the engine room for local, creative industries.

“We all know that city centres need to evolve to stay relevant in a world where shopping, leisure and daily habits have changed. Finding new purposes for buildings like the old library is crucial.” The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up

The Old Library was originally built in 1907 with money donated by the Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was enlarged in 1951. With a capacity to hold 20,000 books, it included a Ladies Room for 20 readers and, on the first floor a large lecture hall seating 200 people.

It was a popular library – especially during WW11 – until the facility relocated to Llwyn Isaf in 1973. The Old Library has been closed to the public for some years, having been allocated for use by the council’s ICT department.

Cllr Williams said Wrexham’s football club and its Hollywood stardust had created a “real buzz” around the city. Millions of pounds of Welsh Government cash is already being spent on Wrexham Museum and the refurbishment of the city’s General and Butchers Markets.

“This is a great time to invest and make the most of Wrexham’s growing global profile,” he added. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

Julie James, cabinet secretary for housing local government and planning, said bringing empty properties back into use was a key aim of Cardiff’s £125m Transforming Towns programme. She said: “I look forward to seeing how a successful creative hub in North East Wales will support future growth and nurture talent in this sector – and help secure the resilience of Wrexham city centre.”

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