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Stafford Library
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dr watson
Well-Known Forumite
Perhaps they'll provide umbrellas for customers on entering.
I have been involved in the design of libraries in a professional capacity and therefore I am aware that one of the specifications is that there must be a fire suppression system within the building. Clearly traditional sprinklers are not suitable due to the damage caused to the books etc. Therefore surely before Stafford place can take the role of the library some retrospective work would be needed to be done to the building. Past issues with this building would suggest that this may not be that straight forward.
Furthermore, this smacks of yet more short term cost cutting by the council. Clearly they need to reduce costs and yes one way of doing that is to better utilise the space that they have got. After the councils failed attempt to attract any retailers too Staffordshire place they have certainly got space at Staffordshire place. However I would argue that they have not got nearly enough to house a library. But surely the only way they are going to reduce costs at Shire Hall is either by selling it or finding a new tenant. The council should be acutely aware from there past cock ups of trying to lease/sell buildings, they have not found it easy even if with fairly straightforward buildings with easily workable layouts. The layout of the library does not lend itself too many uses easily and therefore any prospective user would have to spend large amounts of money initially. I can not think of many uses for the building in its current state and therefore I envisage that the library would be on the market for a long time. Therefore what the council will be left with is a poor excuse for a library at Staffordshire place, which could of been earning them money if they had managed to find a retailer/s as they initially stated and a former library that they would still have to maintain while it was being sold. Therefore they will not make the desired savings.
Furthermore, this smacks of yet more short term cost cutting by the council. Clearly they need to reduce costs and yes one way of doing that is to better utilise the space that they have got. After the councils failed attempt to attract any retailers too Staffordshire place they have certainly got space at Staffordshire place. However I would argue that they have not got nearly enough to house a library. But surely the only way they are going to reduce costs at Shire Hall is either by selling it or finding a new tenant. The council should be acutely aware from there past cock ups of trying to lease/sell buildings, they have not found it easy even if with fairly straightforward buildings with easily workable layouts. The layout of the library does not lend itself too many uses easily and therefore any prospective user would have to spend large amounts of money initially. I can not think of many uses for the building in its current state and therefore I envisage that the library would be on the market for a long time. Therefore what the council will be left with is a poor excuse for a library at Staffordshire place, which could of been earning them money if they had managed to find a retailer/s as they initially stated and a former library that they would still have to maintain while it was being sold. Therefore they will not make the desired savings.
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
Carole
Well-Known Forumite
I'm no expert but if perhaps if the council attempted to seduce independent retailers by offering a reduced rate for say 6 or 12 months then maybe those retail spaces would be snapped up.
But no, let's have more charity shops.
markpa12003
Well-Known Forumite
The decision by the Council to relocate the Library to Staffordshire Place smacks of short termism and a complete lack of common sense. When the Riverside Development is completed the whole area around Staffordshire Place will become the main focus for shoppers, therefore, new retailers will be fighting over themselves to get a piece of the action; Staffordshire Place would then become very attractive (which it currently isn't). However, what is our stupid Council proposing to do?! They are proposing to transform prime retail / food space to a library, which generates very little revenue compared to what a retailer could bring. Furthermore, to compound their stupidity the BC will have to find a tenant / new owner for the Shirehall which does not easily lend itself to a new user other than what its currently used for!
I keep expecting to hear an announcement by the BC that this 'idea' was just a joke, however to my amazement they appear to think this is a good idea. I despair!
I keep expecting to hear an announcement by the BC that this 'idea' was just a joke, however to my amazement they appear to think this is a good idea. I despair!
Feed The Goat
Well-Known Forumite
"new retailers will be fighting over themselves to get a piece of the action"...........................
The action that is or will be Stafford town centre. I don't think so. Stafford town centre is finished as far as retail is concerned.
Too many blows in the past have proved fatal.
The action that is or will be Stafford town centre. I don't think so. Stafford town centre is finished as far as retail is concerned.
Too many blows in the past have proved fatal.
I dont agree that retail in Stafford is dead, in fact I think the opposite is true. The new shopping complex has managed to attract a Debenhams a much larger Marks and Spencers, a H&M and if rumours are to be believed a Primark. These are major national retailers and there presence in the town will undoubtedly attract other tours to locate themselves in the new complex.
Therefore like Markpa states that part of Stafford will soon be a major retail area within the town so to locate a library in this area is ridiculous. I am a firm believer that Councillors should not be allowed to make important decisions such as this because they lack the required expertise, intelligence, common sense to formulate a coherent plan. Instead they are driven by a short term aim of trying to make savings, but as I have stated in my previous post they wont make the required savings because there proposal is fundamentally flawed.
Therefore like Markpa states that part of Stafford will soon be a major retail area within the town so to locate a library in this area is ridiculous. I am a firm believer that Councillors should not be allowed to make important decisions such as this because they lack the required expertise, intelligence, common sense to formulate a coherent plan. Instead they are driven by a short term aim of trying to make savings, but as I have stated in my previous post they wont make the required savings because there proposal is fundamentally flawed.
Wormella
Well-Known Forumite
To play devil's advocate, the current library does have a squeezed in, split up feel to it - with various things in tiny rooms and no real flow to it. It makes for a hard browsing experience - well designed the move could be great for the library, opening it up to many more people. As it as as the moment I rarely use it, not finding it all that useful or inspiring.
I can't however find any argument for moving the shire hall gallery anyway, that's a wonderful, converted space, and the only thing I'd like to see replace the library is the occasionally revived idea of a town museum.
I can't however find any argument for moving the shire hall gallery anyway, that's a wonderful, converted space, and the only thing I'd like to see replace the library is the occasionally revived idea of a town museum.
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
Do you harbour any hope that it will be though? No, nor me.
I rather like the library, though it is a bit higgledy-piggledy. The space at Scaffs Place is too small which will mean a lesser service all round.
Which is probably part of the plan.
I heard a rumour that SCC were planning on using the vacant unit at the Ancient High House (which the council own) to create a larger museum so maybe they are planning a town exhibition??
Wormella
Well-Known Forumite
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
SBC were planning to buy it - it's owned by some hedge fund type affair - but didn't.
Short term plan was, i believe, to lease it out - with a longer term aim of incorporating back into the whole High House thing and/or use it as the TIC.
Rather academic now.
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
I quite liked the old County Library on Friars' Terrace - a great big shed full of books - what a library should be.
Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
Stop being such a Diva...
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Hedge fund? Please elaborate