Plans in for Radcliffe enterprise centre
Bury Council has put forward an application to convert the existing library into an 8,100 sq ft of coworking facility as part of its strategic masterplan for the town.
Under the proposals designed by Ryder Architecture, Radcliffe Library would be remodelled to include a series of bookable offices ranging from 170 sq ft to 345 sq ft.
There would be 2,500 sq ft of communal space and another 500 sq ft reserved for hotdesking. The plans for the Stand Lane building also include a 420 sq ft meeting room.
Inspiration for the enterprise centre was drawn from FireUp in Rochdale – a similar scheme that involved transforming a 1930s art deco fire station into modern workspace.
While the library building would be getting an office makeover, the library services would eventually move to the new £40m Radcliffe civic hub. This initiative was the prime part of the local authority’s successful £20m Levelling Up Fund bid.
As the civic hub progresses, the public would still be able to access books and computers at the enterprise centre until the library can open up in its new home.
You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number 70578 on Bury Council’s planning portal.
Bury Council closing the Library and turning it into offices without a direct replacement already in place (not a few bookshelves stuck inside something else) is risking the same political consequences that shortsightedly bulldozing the Civic Hall with the vague promise of future grand plans had. Not sure they are learning anything.
By Bookworm