Cheshire Archives: a story shared

The start date is nearing for construction to begin on two new history centres that will co-host the region’s archives.

Cheshire Archives and Local Studies is a shared service of Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council. It looks after the county’s unique and irreplaceable written and pictorial history, which dates back more than 900 years.

The service’s current base, the Record Office in Chester, will close its doors to the public on 8 August so that the whole team with the help of volunteers can prepare the thousands of historical records for the move to the two new centres.

Construction of the two state-of-the-art history centres that will replace it, one in Crewe and one in Chester is set to begin in the autumn.

The project, called ‘Cheshire’s archives: a story shared’, will transform the way the archives service works and open up the collections to a whole new audience.

The history centres will feature new exhibition and event spaces, new research rooms, workspace for staff and volunteers, as well as environmentally stable storage for the archives. 

In Chester, the new history centre will be delivered on the site of the former Enterprise Centre, in Lightfoot Street, Chester and is included in the wider Chester City Gateway Masterplan. 

The project is supported by funding of £6.4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players. There’s further cause for celebration as the project has also been awarded a new £300,000 grant from The Wolfson Foundation. 

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“We are celebrating over 75 years of the archives service in Cheshire. The first archivist started work in Chester on 1 October 1948. 

“October 2024 will see the start of building for our new history centre in Chester, one of the Chester One City Plan projects, thanks to the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. 

“As construction starts in Chester, behind the scenes our archivists and conservators will be starting the monumental task of packing, protecting and preparing for their move.

“The National Lottery funding not only significantly contributes towards the new facilities but will help the service to fund a programme of new activities across the county until March 2027.”

In Cheshire East, the history centre will be based next to Memorial Square in Crewe town centre.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, lead for archives at Cheshire East Council, said:

“This project follows several years of engagement with residents across Cheshire and will deliver innovative and exciting ways of exploring the county’s past.

“I very much look forward to construction of the history centre in Crewe progressing, and I would like to thank both The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation for their support, which has allowed this project to reach this extremely exciting stage.

“While an important piece in Crewe’s ongoing regeneration journey, the history centre will help to protect the county’s archives for generations to come and is an asset that those living right across the borough and beyond can access and enjoy.” 

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“It is very exciting to see this project get underway. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are delighted to be supporting this work that 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. We’re looking forward to seeing the project as it takes shape and excited to see its contribution to the wider placemaking plans in Crewe and Chester.”

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:

“This is a remarkably exciting and ambitious project. We are very pleased to support the building of two new history centres in Chester and Crewe. These centres will help preserve Cheshire’s historically significant archives and collections, increase access and – through exhibitions and events – inspire visitors.”

Between now and the 8 August, to mark the closure of their old building and as a thank you to the many people who have used and worked in the building since it first opened, the archives team will be providing a series of events.

During the last week of opening 6 to 8 August, there will be behind the scenes tours, an exhibition showing the building down the years and a special event to mark the final closure on 8 August.

The new centres will open in 2026. The online archive services will still be available, and copies of documents can still be ordered and research services requested.

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.

About Cheshire Archives

Cheshire Archives & Local Studies identifies, collects and cares for archives and publications that are the evidence of Cheshire communities’ lives past and present. We deliver access for all to our collections for information, learning and enjoyment and work to make sure archives survive so that future generations will be able to do the same.

http://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk

https://www.cheshirestoryshared.org/

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by The National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. 

http://www.heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund 

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the UK. More than £30 million raised each week goes to good causes across the UK.

Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.

Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK, all on twhe basis of expert review.