CONFUSED OVER LIBRARY PLAN

HAVE we been thrown a ‘curve ball’ in the controversy over the Central Library?

A public consultation process that started on 5th July could lead to the permanent closure of the Grade II-listed Central Library that was given to the people of Stockport over 100 years ago.

Your article (July 7) reported that ‘plans for a new £14m cultural hub in Stockport could be put at risk if residents say they don’t want to move the town’s library there.’

It quoted Caroline Simpson, a council deputy chief executive saying, in reply to the chair of the economy & regeneration scrutiny committee, that the Government Future High Streets grant would be at significant risk.

Ms Simpson’s reply is problematic.

Firstly, it contradicts a statement made by Cllr Meller, cabinet member for Economy & Regeneration, in the Stockport Express (January 6, 2021).

He said, in relation to central library: “When it comes to consultation, if the overwhelming majority want to keep things as they are, we will do that.”

He added that he did not think this would affect the overall plan.

His remarks don’t suggest a link between getting the grant money and closing central library.

Please complete the consultation and make it clear that we want to keep our heritage library building as our central library. Please search and find ‘Save Stockport’s Historic Central Library” on Facebook for more information.

John Pearson Stockport United