PADGATE and Penketh libraries will be reopening their doors later this month.

The sites mark phase three of LiveWire’s plans to reopen libraries following the closures enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Padgate Library will reopen on Monday, September 21 with Penketh Library reopening the following day on Tuesday, September 22.

Warrington's remaining closed libraries, Birchwood and Westbrook, are provisionally scheduled to reopen in late October.

Padgate will soon be open Monday, 10am-5pm, Wednesday 2pm-5pm and Saturday 9.30am-1pm.

Meanwhile Penketh's opening hours are now Tuesday, 10am-6pm, Thursday, 10am-6pm and Saturday 9.30am-1pm.

Health and safety measures put in place at all Warrington's libraries include social distancing for customers and staff, one-way systems around parts of the buildings, hand sanitiser at entrances and exits and the quarantining of books for 72 hours after they are returned.

Emma Hutchinson, managing director of LiveWire, said: "I’m thrilled we are in the position of being able to reopen two more libraries this month, and that the safety measures we have put in place at the reopened libraries are working so well.

"I’d like to thank all our library users for their co-operation in following the procedures designed to keep them and our staff safe, and hope they are enjoying borrowing books and visiting our libraries again.

"A reminder that we do offer a number of services for people unable or reluctant to return to libraries and I’d encourage people to make use of these.

"Thank you to Warrington Borough Council and our partners and Friends groups for all their support during the past few months."

Councillor Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and communities, added: "The safe re-opening of Warrington’s libraries continues to progress well and I’m extremely grateful to everyone involved – from staff and managers to volunteers – for their work, not only to get our libraries open once more, but to ensure they remain safe, welcoming environments for visitors.

"It’s fantastic news that we are now entering phase three of our libraries reopening programme, as we prepare to open the doors of two more of our buildings

"It’s great news for the Padgate and Penketh communities."

For more information on the reopening of libraries, plus a list of FAQs for customers, visit livewirewarrington.co.uk/library.