Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter, announced at yesterday’s Full Council Meeting hat the town’s Central Library will after all remain in the historic Grade 2 building on Wellington Road and not move to the Council’s new Stockroom building in the Town centre
It had previously been announced in February that the council’s adult education service, currently based at Hardman Street, would be the preferred service to relocate to the historic grade 2 building on Wellington Road South with the Library moving to much vocal opposition.
The then Labour run council agreed to set up a cross-party working group to explore the possibility of retaining a “linked library offer” in the building.
The new Lib Dem administration said that while many consultation respondents were very positive about the opportunities offered by Stockroom, others expressed concern that the Central Library Building would no longer house any library services. Some respondents said that they wanted to ensure that the public could continue to access and enjoy this important heritage building.
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This decision will ensure residents can continue to enjoy access to this historic building, with improved facilities and opening hours. Our Adult Education Service are a much-valued resource and continuing the library service will inspire service users to make use of the facilities and strengthen their offer.”
Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, said: “We heard last year from residents who felt that the Central Library Building should continue to be used for the purpose it was originally designed for. The library services that will be retained within the Central Library will cater for all ages enabling residents to continue to enjoy reading, study and accessing online resources in this beautiful space.”
The existing proposals for the £14.5m Future High Streets Fund investment in Stockroom will see it house a new archives and heritage library, safeguarding the future of this important heritage resource, in modern surroundings. More information on Stockroom will be made available in the coming months.
