New images released for Stockroom

Stockport Council said the two CGIs draw from feedback received from residents about what they wanted at the new learning and discovery centre in Merseyway.

Aew Architects designed the scheme. Manchester-based SpaceInvader Design is the interior designer for the project.

Proposals call for Stockroom to be larger than a football pitch with five times more floor space than the current library. It would be able to hold more than 20,000 books and would offer a touch-screen learning area. According to the council, it would also be able to stay open for longer due to its high street location.

Stockroom is designed to be accessible as well, with enhanced facilities for those with disabilities and direct access to 800 car parking spaces – including designated disabled and family spaces.

Aew Architects designed the scheme for Stockport Council. Credit: via Stockport Council

The council offered reassurances to residents that Stockroom would not result in a diminished or reduced library offer.

Cllr David Sedgwick, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus & Engagement, said: “Many people see the project as a unique opportunity to breathe life back into the town centre and are strongly supportive of the new and improved facilities it will provide.

“We have to acknowledge the significant changes that have happened in recent times and the need to affect positive change.

“We need to ensure we have a vibrant town centre in Stockport and we need to provide our people with the very best facilities to learn and develop to reach their full potential, particularly in light of the economic challenges many families face as a result of the pandemic.”

• Read more about how Stockport is transforming

Sedgwick said he understood there were strong feelings surrounding the current library.

“We appreciate the current library building is an emotive issue for many, but we are keen to ensure that residents have all the correct information regarding the implications of any potential move of library services.

“The council has already committed not to demolish or abandon the building, and will ensure that public access to the building will be retained in future should library services move to Stockroom. Library services would not be diminished in any way, in fact, this is an opportunity to enhance the service in a larger and more accessible space.”

The project received £14.5m from the government’s Future High Street Fund in 2019.