Renovated Former Mill Road Library Back In Use

Extensive works to bring the former Mill Road Library in Cambridge back into use have been completed.

Cambridgeshire County Council has carried out a comprehensive renovation of the Grade II listed building which had fallen into disrepair.

Nearly £500,000 has been spent on the six month project, including works to replace gutters, stop damp penetration and carry out repairs to stonework, brickwork and windows.

The former library was built in in the late 1800s and opened to the public in June 1897. It transferred to the county council in 1974 but closed in 1996.

For two years it was used as a homeless shelter before a lease was agreed with the Indian Community and Cultural Association, which ended in 2019.

Since this time the county council has obtained listed building consent in order to repair the property. It has also handed over ornate stonework relating to the Hindu shrine which was installed by the previous tenants to the Mill Road Trader’s Association which is planning to put it on public display.

With the project now finished it will mean the property can be utilised once again, with the council exploring all options including a leasing agreement or sale.

The first occupiers of the renovated building – which is now on the Cambridge City Council register of assets of community value - will be the Hill Group, which is building properties at the nearby former city council depot and will use the space until February as a site office, subject to planning permission.