Library and arts scheme unveiled

Swindon Borough Council wants to transform the Arts Centre in Devizes Road by moving Old Town library there and creating a new cafe and bar area, box office, studio and meeting room.

If given planning permission the £300k project could be completed by September.

Helen Miah, head of culture at the council, said:“We are trying to achieve more of what we are calling a ‘cultural hub’.

“We want people to come in there and see a multitude of activities going on.

“It’s about getting the arts centre used more during the day and bringing the library in also gives us the opportunity to share services.”

She said the new studio space meant they could run workshops such as reading groups, pre-school activities and music events.

“You will be able to come in and buy a ticket for a show, take out some books and get a cup of coffee or a piece of cake from the cafe,” she added.

But the plans did not go down well with campaigner Shirley Burham, who fought to save Old Town library from closure.

She said: “It’s really good that they are going to keep a library in Old Town.

“But I would have like to have seen more imaginative architectural drawings.

“I feel like the library is a slight afterthought being tucked away at the back of the building.

“And I’m also concerned about people walking past it without realising it’s here.”

She said she would have preferred to have seen a facade built at the front of the Arts Centre next to the pavement to draw people in.

But mum-of-three Fiona Prideaux, who lives in Old Town, said she liked the plans and thought the scheme was a great idea.

“It’s much more of a social space,” she said. “I use Old Town library to get books for the kids and to pick up things I’ve ordered from the Central Library for myself.

“This will be more in the heart of Old Town and it’s nice that it’s going to have a cafe and toilets, which you always need when you have the children with you.

“They are very excited about it too.”