Image by Cathy Buckmaster
Building work has begun to renovate the Canning Town Old Library, located on Barking Road. This Grade II listed building has been vacant since the library relocated to Rathbone Market in 2017.
In collaboration with the appointed architects Haworth Tompkins, this project aims to transform the historically significant building into a centre that showcases Newham’s extraordinary heritage and diverse stories. Upon completion, it will house the borough’s archive, a new reading room, a digital media suite, workspace, and learning spaces for all.
Generous funding from the Heritage Fund will support an ambitious programme of heritage activities involving residents, young people, and community groups across the borough. This includes vital efforts to save and rehome thousands of records and objects within Newham’s archives and museum collections.
The centre is set to open in autumn 2026 and will host a variety of cultural and educational programmes, building upon the annual Newham Heritage Month while aligning with the objectives of the Council’s Cultural Strategy, “Building Newham’s Creative Future.” There will be numerous opportunities for people to get involved in the project, and we’ll be regularly posting updates as it progresses.
