Blackpool Council has appointed contractors for a £3m redevelopment of the town’s main library.

The project, which includes £2m from the Big Lottery fund, will be delivered by architect Bisset Adams and building contractor Carefoot.

The council said it was “looking for something exceptional from this project to set an example, at a national level, of the innovative design concepts and modern service offer that can be applied to a traditional Grade 2 listed building”.

The team aims to complete design work by the end of this month to allow work to start on site by September 2010.

Redevelopment work will mean the library is closed for up to 12 months, with the building planned for reopening in September 2011.

The council has also agreed to replace Bispham Library with a new library that will be located in the Moor Park Primary Care Trust and Leisure development. Work on the new build has now started on site with a target opening date of April or May 2011.

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