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Concern at plans to close Stockport Central Library after 107 years
by Lib Dem team on 24 September, 2020
Stockport Central library was built in 1913-15 with an endowment from Andrew Carnegie. It has survived world wars and depressions, but is set to close for good under plans put forward by Stockport’s Labour administration.
The proposals would see Stockport left without a Central Library. Instead, the former Merseyway Argos unit would be converted into a local library for the town centre, holding fewer than a third of the books.
There are not currently any proposals for the Central Library building, though it is listed and Labour have assured us it will be protected. There are plans for a larger cultural centre around Merseyway, but these still need to be developed and funded.
Worryingly, the public consultation currently underway doesn’t actually mention that the Central Library will permanently close.
The Liberal Democrats have asked the ruling Labour group to run a second consultation before making any decisions.
“When the Council consults people, it is essential that it tells everyone what is being proposed and it gives a chance to say no,” said Cllr Iain Roberts. “That’s just the basics of a good consultation. This one does neither of those things. It doesn’t say that the Central Library will be closed for good, and it doesn’t have a question asking whether people agree with the plans.”
Council officers believe that the Central Library cannot be made Covid-safe, so there is a case for a temporary relocation to have a library service in the town centre. But permanently closing the Central Library needs a lot more consideration and a proper public consultation.
8 Comments
Speaking of libraries when are Stockport going to expand the current very limited system? I am a member of Manchester and theirs is very similar to what it was.
So if Manchester can why can’t Stockport?
My immediate concern about closure would be for the Local Heritage Library. There is a wealth of information in their records for anyone researching their family history or just interested in local history. It’s been my “go to” place for information when I was researching for my two Gatley history booklets (available from the Gatley Village Partnership).
I’m against permanent closure of central Library.
I’ve got mixed feelings about this. I’ve thought for a long time that the central library is not really central. I’ve done an awful lot of research there over the years for history projects and attended meetings in the basement, etc. But its siting belongs to a previous age when walking, bikes and trams were the main way of getting around the town. If it were to be closed then, yes, make this a part of any consultation. Then replace it with something of similar size and facilities. I actually believe the Merseyway precinct should contain council facilities because it is central, and physical retail is on the decline. But a library on the present Argos site, though accessible, can only ever be a temporary solution. As part of the move towards 15-minute travel communities, we should be making sure there is a library/cultural centre in every district. That’s for a future government, one that believes in LOCAL government.
Very disappointed about the closure of Stockport Central library. Will the new location have the same facilities such as the Heritage centre? and will it be easily accessible with car parking and public transport?
How will it affect services to local libraries?
Please investigate these issues and report back
Hi Lois. It will be a much smaller library and won’t have the same facilities. However, it will be accessible by public transport – it’s proposed to go into the old Argos unit on Mersey Square.
If Stockport Central Library closes it will be a dreadful decision. It is by far the best library around the area and a fantastic place to get some peace to read.
I am totally against the idea of closing this place.
Covid will pass on in the near future so no need for a knee jerk reaction.
Might as well just flatten Stockport centre and have done with it. It looks nothing like the wonderfull exciting town I was born and grew up in. Market battered into submision, Baths gone, Hillgate gone, Buck and Dog, the whole caracture of the town has gone, Those lovely old building all gone. If you go to Stalybridge or Buxton all the nice buildings are still there not taken by acid head developers in the 60/70s. Its 80% gone spoiled and ruined, a dam shame but blaime our parents for all this modernness.