A PROJECT to centralise Launceston’s library through the renovation of one of the town’s abandoned banks is taking its next step towards completion.

In 2023, it was announced that Launceston Town Council had plans to repurpose a disused space in order to bring the town’s library into the hart of the community. It came after the town council and Cornwall Council collaborated to purchase the building which was formerly host to Barclays Bank on Broad Street.

Earlier this year, the council announced that it was seeking architects to design the future library, alongside project managers.

Clerk at Launceston Town Council, Chris Drake, told us: “Having obtained planning permission for conversion of the former Barclays Bank to a library and community hub building, we have recently undertaken a tenders process for architect design teams and project manager to begin the building phase of the project.

“The Design Team will undertake professional design and supervision services including for building services, a structural engineer, and quantity surveyor and the Project Manager role will be for a person to oversee the build project.”

Now, the council has announced that this process has concluded, with an architect selected.

A spokesperson from Launceston Town Council explained: “Further to the successful purchase of the former Barclays Bank building at 6 Broad Street, a tender process was undertaken to appoint architects to draw up plans for the site in relation to its conversion to a library hub building. The tenders requested that the project be taken to full planning permission stage, including Listed Building consent. Following the success of this stage of the project, a second tender process was undertaken for the commissioning of a professional team led by an architect and comprising sub-consultant Structural Engineers, Building Services Engineers, a Quantity Surveyor, Principal Designer and specialist consultancy for Fire Engineering and Building Control.

“In addition to the above, a separate tender process was undertaken for the commissioning of a Project Manager to lead the professional team providing design and quantity surveying services.”

The council has explained that following the completion of this process, each tender was scored and shortlisted and the top three companies under each role were interviewed.

“The interview process was to enable the council to have an understanding of the companies, and to ensure that their approach and ethos was an appropriate fit for the project and for the council as a whole,” the spokesperson continued.

As a result of these interviews, two contractors have been appointed to undertake the protect, transforming the former bank building into a hub for the community.

The council spokesperson concluded: “The successful contractors are Hayhurst and Co Architects and Ravenslade Project Management and both companies have now submitted draft contracts for the works and meetings have been arranged to discuss the next phase of the project and to agree timelines. Once these have been agreed we will be able to provide further updates, as well as undertaking further consultations as the works progress.”