There is one month left to comment on plans to move Central Library services

There is still one month left for Stockport residents to comment on proposals to move library services to a new 21st Century facility in the town centre.

Stockport Council has been awarded £14.5 million Future High Streets Funding by the government to spend on Stockroom, redeveloping empty retail units in Adlington Walk, Merseyway.

Thanks to the people who took part in the first phase of engagement on Stockroom which received 1299 responses to an online survey as well feedback from various stakeholder groups.

Following the positive response to the proposal to include 21st Century library facilities in Stockroom, the Council now want to consult with people about moving the Town Centre library services from Central Library into Stockroom, and is asking people to complete a short questionnaire to understand people’s views on the proposal.

Whatever the result of this consultation process there is no intent from the Council to demolish or abandon the Central Library building – it is a Grade II listed building and is a much loved and important part of our town’s heritage, which Stockport Council wants to preserve. The questionnaire has more information about the Council’s plans for the building should library services move.

Nationally library visitor numbers have been declining over the past decade. Stockport Central Library has seen visitor numbers fall by almost half (42%) from April 2012 to March 2020. In addition, loans have fallen 35% among 10 to 14-year-olds between April 2017 and March 2020, while loans have fallen 61% among 15 to 19-year-olds between April 2017 and March 2020.

But the Council believe Stockroom will be able to attract more people to use the fantastic services our libraries provide. Where other local authorities have re-imagined their library services for the 21st Century there has been a substantial increase in the numbers of people using those services. The new facility at Stockroom will also expand the shelfspace available for book borrowing.

More information on the proposal and a questionnaire to share your views is available on the Council’s website.

By taking part you can help shape our plans for the future and also have the chance to win a £100 of High Street shopping vouchers.

You can also visit your local library to view this information and complete the questionnaire there.  The consultation is open until 18^th October 2021. If you require the questionnaire in an alternative format, please contact the council by email.