Council provides latest on transformational archives project

The county’s archives offer is being completely transformed and steelwork is going up in Crewe and Chester as progress ramps up.

Two new state-of-the-art archive centres – one in Crewe and one in Chester – will house records of the development of the historic county and its communities from the Middle Ages to the present day. These two buildings will replace the Cheshire Record Office in Chester.

Councillor Michael Gorman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said:

“It is great to see the way that the construction is going here in Crewe, and I know that it’s moving very positively in Chester as well. Cheshire Archives Crewe and Cheshire Archives Chester will be the new homes for this superb collection. 

“I was very proud to be at the event yesterday, where I was able to sign some steelwork which will be a permanent part of this remarkable building, which I know will be hugely appreciated by everyone, no matter where they live in the county. 

“Of course, none of this could be achieved without the support of our funders, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, whose vital support is allowing this exciting project to be delivered.”

Cheshire Archives Crewe is being built close to the Lifestyle Centre and Memorial Square in the town centre. Construction company Kier started on site earlier this year.

The former library and civic centre car park site has been cleared and completely revamped into new public space that features seating areas, trees, flower beds and lighting – creating an improved and more-attractive route for pedestrians between the Lifestyle Centre, Memorial Square and Crewe Market Hall. Both new archives centres are scheduled for completion in summer 2026.

The project has been made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity with a focus on research and education. 

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

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

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

Helen Featherstone, director (North England) at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“It is great news that the work on the two new archive centres is progressing so well. Cheshire is a county that is rich in heritage and we’re delighted that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we can support this project to ensure that wonderful history will be preserved for years to come and give local people the chance to explore and uncover the fascinating stories within the collections.”

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 archive 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.”

Sarah Morton, regional director at Kier Construction North & Scotland, said:

“We’re proud to be working on these two new archive centres in Chester and Crewe, which will not only protect Cheshire’s rich heritage but also create welcoming, inclusive spaces for the whole community to enjoy. 

“These centres are being built with people in mind – from the researchers and school groups who will explore the collections, to the volunteers and staff who will bring the archives to life. As part of our commitment to social value, we’ll also be supporting local employment and training opportunities, helping young people into construction careers, and working with local suppliers wherever possible.

“It’s a privilege to help deliver facilities that will serve generations to come and become a real source of pride for the county.” 

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council’s heritage champion, said:

“We have many hidden gems to explore in the archive and these centres will be the places to find them when they open next year. It’s a tremendously exciting time for Crewe.”

Sally Hepton, archives lead for Crewe Town Board, said:

“Seeing the steelworks going in at the site in Crewe is a significant moment – a realisation that after many years of planning this fantastic new centre is really taking shape. It’s a proud time for Crewe and a great time for Cheshire as a whole.”

To coincide with the visits to both sites, the council is sharing new fly-through videos taking visitors through the buildings giving a flavour of how they will look.  

While the archives team are preparing for the move to their new homes, Cheshire Record Office online archive services are still available, with copies of documents and research services able to be ordered and requested online. 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.

More information on the project can be found at: 

Cheshire Archives Crewe