Culture hub set to move into ex-store
ACHANGE of use has been approved for a former Argos store at the centre of a row over library services.
The empty unit at Stockport’s Merseyway shopping centre can now be used more ‘flexibly’ – including as a museum, library or exhibition space – following the decision.
It paves the way for the launch of the One Stockport hub, which is intended as a ‘cultural and community’ centre in the town centre.
A key part of the council’s Covid-19 recovery plan, bosses see it as a ‘precursor’ to a much bigger cultural hub planned for Merseyway’s Adlington Walk.
But proposals to transfer the Central Library service to the new site provoked a huge backlash, with nearly 5,000 people signing a petition against the move.
In an apparent U-turn, council leaders said this was only ever intended as a ‘temporary’ move, given the difficulties and costs involved in reopening the historic Central Library building.
Any permanent relocation of the Central Library services would be subject to full consultation, they insisted.
However, an air of mistrust has persisted since the furore.
Deborah Hind, of Stockport United Against Austerity, spoke against the change of use when the application went before the Central Area Committee for approval.
She said: “I strongly object to the transfer of the library service in the Central Library building to the Argos unit, therefore I object to the change of use if it’s going to include a library.
“I believe parts of the application that the council made are actually quite misleading.
“I’ve asked questions frequently but still don’t know why Central Library cannot be made Covidsafe. Some other libraries have reopened and some, prior to the current lockdown, have allowed browsing.”
Ms Hind added that graphics and plans of the interior design did not show a Covid-safe environment, and there was no evidence the hub could be run in a Covid safe way.
Central Library could meet many of the council’s objectives – such as providing information services and attracting greater footfall – if it were allowed to reopen, she claimed.
And referring to the plans for Adlington Walk she added: “How can it be a temporary library and a precursor to something else which is more permanent?”
However, councillors agreed the decision was for a ‘simple change of use’ and the long-term future of Central Library was a separate matter.
Coun Sheila Bailey said there has been a ‘very clear commitment’ that any permanent relocation of Central Library would be subject to a ‘wide and detailed consultation’.
She said: “This is, as stated, a simple change of use. However, it’s considerably more than that for the people that will have access to it.
“It will provide facilities which are not readily available at the moment for an awful lot of people – young and not so young.
“I think it will provide a focal point that will be welcomed by people visiting the town centre as well.
“I will be supporting this, I think it is a positive move at a time when we all need something positive.”
Brinnington and Central councillor Kerry Waters also spoke strongly in support of the application and the facilities it could bring.
She told the meeting her ward had some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country – and the pandemic had made life particularly hard for families without computers and internet access to the internet.
“We have seen how children have struggled and been getting behind with all their schoolwork,” she said.
“We need this to be sorted and opened as soon as possible. We need as many as many PC terminals and access to broadband to be able to help these children.”
The central area committee unanimously voted to approve the change of use.
The decision also allows it to be used for retail, business or other commercial purposes in future.
In December, Stockport council was awarded £14.5m in Future High Street Funding to redevelp Mersey Square and create a new cultural hub at Adlington Walk.
The central area committee meeting was held on Thursday night (February 5).