Burnley's first council library being sold at auction

Colne Road Public Library, in Burnley, is to be sold having served the town for a century later this month.

The stone-built property opened in 1924 and was Burnley’s first municipal library, followed six years later by Burnley Central Library.

After more than 80 years, it was closed by Lancashire County Council as a library in 2008 and handed over for use by community groups.

It will go under the hammer at a Pugh auction house sale on Wednesday, October 16, with a guide price of £150,000.

Inside the library, which has been used by community groups (Image: Pugh Auctions) Located in Colne Road, at its junction with Allen Street on the outskirts of the town centre, the building has 3,000 sqft of floor space over two storeys and is described as being in “good condition internally” though it will require minor repairs.

Ed Feather, from Pugh Auctions, said: “The former library is in a busy area with a mix of residential neighbourhoods, shops and other amenities.

“It’s a really historic building and part of the town’s municipal heritage so it would be great to see it get a new lease of life and become an asset to the community once again, as well as generating much-needed funds for Lancashire County Council..

The library could be used for a range of things by its new owner (Image: Pugh Auctions) “Subject to a buyer gaining the relevant planning consent, there are a range of potential future uses that this building would lend itself to, including residential development.

“We are excited to see who buys it – and what the next chapter will hold for the former library.”

The auction will take place online on October 16 and to sign up visit the Pugh Auctions website.

Other East Lancs properties on the auction list include an end-terrace house in Wordsworth Road, Accrington, listed with a guide price of £46,000, and an end-terrace house in Heap Street, Burnley, listed with a guide price of £55,000.