Once home to Frodsham Library and Tabernacle Chapel, one of the town’s historic buildings has been put up for auction after being deemed ‘surplus to requirements’.

The High Street premises was built by Wesleyan Tabernacle Association in 1837 and was operational as a place of worship until 1937, re-purposed as a public library in 1945.

Having been empty for around a year after the library relocated to Frodsham Leisure Centre on Princeway at the end of 2013, owner Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has decided to sell it.

A spokeswoman for CWaC said: “Obviously when any council building or premises becomes empty, we go through a process where we decide if it is surplus to requirements and it was decided this building was.

“We are taking the premises to auction in February.”

Although the building is not listed, it is noted for its stained glass windows.

Cllr Mark Warren said: “The building itself is an interesting part of Frodsham’s heritage and irrespective of its next occupants, it would be nice to see the frontage, especially the ‘bee’ window, preserved.”

Resident Nick Smith added: “I can quite understand the reasons for moving the library to a better site with increased facilities.

“I would hope that any redevelopment plans for the site are strictly controlled by the planning authority – it would be a shame to lose the exterior features of such a prominent building.”