Stockport progresses plans for new-look Central Library
Last night, the council agreed in principle to spend an estimated £4.3m on repairing the listed building and converting it into an adult education centre.
The future use of the Central Library building has been a controversial topic since it was announced in 2021 that the town’s library service would be relocated to the new Stockroom development within the Merseyway Shopping Centre.
Stockroom is a town centre hub being supported by a £14.5m Future High Streets Fund award.
The previous Labour-led administration had faced dissent from the borough’s Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors over the decision to move Stockport’s library offer out of the much-loved Wellington Road building.
Following the local elections in May, Lib Dem councillor Mark Hunter took over from Labour’s Elise Wilson as council leader.
In July, the new leader announced that a scaled-back library offer would also form part of the Central Library’s future, bringing an end to months of political wrangling.
Plans for a larger library at Stockroom are still in place and work on that project is due to complete in November 2023.
Following the completion of Stockroom, which is to be built by Keir Construction, work on Central Library will begin.
The redevelopment of Central Library would cost in the region of £4.3m, according to a council report.
Of this, £2.1m would be required to carry out repairs to the existing building, while an additional £2.2m would be used to transform the property into the new home for the council’s adult education service.
The retained library element would feature 2,500 books and a shared study space with computers and tablets.
A project team for the scheme is to be appointed later this year and a planning application could be lodged in four months’ time, according to a council report.
To me it seems logical to move the library into a central area which has easy bus access from all areas of Stockport, added car parking and much easier access for he disabled.
By Arthur
Still have no idea why you would have two libraries in the town centre, makes no sense.
By Anonymous
And what happens to the Grade 2 listed Hollywood Park school where Adult Education is currently housed?
By John Fidler
@John Fidler – I’d imagine that’ll be repurposed as some sort of community facility or commercial use as part of the Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation thing as it moves outwards in that direction, assuming it couldn’t be readily converted to residential use.
By Gethin
Just face saving from the liberals. The library is still moving, with a token remnant that will wither away. And Stockport gets £4m lighter.
By Pete
Pleased to hear a use has been found for this wonderful grade 2 listed building
By Anonymous
It is a good thing that the library is to be renovated and used for adult education – I hope that the work goes smoothly.
By David Charge
Hope the renovation is in good taste.
By Pat Newton