Construction has started on the new Crewe History Centre set to co-host the region's archives, with Cheshire East hosting a public engagement event to update residents on plans this month.

'Cheshire's archives: a story shared' - will transform the way the archives service works and open up the 900-year-old collections to a whole new audience.

The two new history centres, the other of which will be based at Hoole in Chester, will feature exhibition and event spaces, research rooms, workspace for staff and volunteers, as well as environmentally stable storage for the archives.

An artist's impression of the new Crewe History Centre from Prince Albert Street (CEC).

The project is led by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, a shared service of Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council - looking after the county's written and pictorial history.

Works started on the Crewe site in mid-January, with a public engagement event set to be held on Thursday 20 February at Crewe Market Hall.

Any interested parties will be welcome to find out more about the works taking place and the archives service, coming to the town for the first time when construction is completed in early 2026.

The new building will sit within the western half of the current development on the site of Crewe's former library next to Memorial Square, tying into the boundaries on Prince Albert Street and Crewe Street and the public space areas to the north and east. 

On the eastern half of the site, works to deliver a 32-space car park, new entrance for Crewe Magistrates' Court and the first phase of public space enhancements, are expected to be completed in March.

This development forms part of a wider programme of projects to enhance connectivity within the town.

Works to deliver a 32-space car park, new entrance for Crewe Magistrates' Court and the first phase of public space enhancements, are expected to be completed in March (Ryan Parker).

The project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. It has also been supported by the Towns Fund and the Future High Street Fund. 

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Michael Gorman, said: "I am thrilled to see that construction is well underway.

"I extend my gratitude to both the National Lottery and the Wolfson Foundation for funding the works and helping us get construction started in Crewe.

"Cheshire has an extraordinarily varied heritage, and these two new archive centres are going to be a brilliant way for us to continue to enjoy and celebrate that.

"The history centre coming to Crewe will mean that people will spend longer and more quality time while they are here, which can only be positive for the town as a whole." 

The public engagement event will take place at Crewe Market Hall from 11am to 1pm on 20 February. Everyone is welcome to attend.  

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Michael Gorman (CEC).

Lead for archives at Cheshire East Council, Cllr Jill Rhodes, said: "This is wonderful news not only for Crewe but for the entire borough.

"This is a very important and significant step for the regeneration of Crewe but the impacts of these works when completed next year, will benefit residents and visitors to Cheshire on a far wider scale." 

While works are in progress at both sites, libraries across Cheshire will continue to provide access to local history books and maps as well as providing free online access to family history websites.

Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Helen Featherstone, added: "It is fantastic news the next chapter of the Cheshire archives project can begin.

"Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will ensure the archive and collections are preserved for years to come, meaning that local communities and visitors can learn more about Cheshire's rich heritage."

Crewe History Centre will be a place to host cultural exhibitions of regional and national interest, school groups, workshops and talks.

Lead for archives at Cheshire East Council, Cllr Jill Rhodes (CEC).

It will contain railway archives for Crewe and the local region, as well as archives relating to the development of the town and surrounding area over the past 900 years.

There will be access to film and sound archives, local newspapers and photographs, local history books, and a Family History Society of Cheshire helpdesk.

Cheshire East will also be looking for a community-based business to run a café inside the centre.

READ MORE: Crewe construction company reports record growth in 2024.

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