Stockroom: A new learning and discovery space for Stockport

The aims of this engagement were to: understand what uses Stockroom could have; enable participants to have their say on the types of things they might like to see in Stockroom; identify any perceived disadvantages to the Stockroom idea; capture the perceived benefits a development of this nature may provide.

In total 1299 surveys were completed. A broad mix of age bands (17% under 35, 60% 35-64 & 18% over 65), those with  (37%) and without children at home (59%) (4% preferring not to say) and those who do (18%) or do not have (76%) a disability or long-term health condition (5% preferring not to say) completed the survey.

The idea of Stockroom was seen as exciting and a great opportunity to enhance learning as well as being a place to socialise. Stockroom is seen as having the potential to provide a multi-use community space and bring services and organisations together in one central location. The benefits of a development of this nature for the Town Centre were seen as being multi-faceted but with regeneration of the High Street the one most agreed with.

Participants also had the opportunity in an open-ended question to write anything which they saw as being a disadvantage to the proposed plans. 41% of participants left this question blank and 23% of those who gave a written answer to this question provided a positive comment rather than any perceived disadvantage. However, 20% of those making a comment felt that most or all resources will be taken away from Central Library. Also, 16% felt that Stockroom would take away from local amenities and facilities.

Following the positive response to this survey, we are now consulting with people about moving the Town Centre library services from Central Library into Stockroom. The Proposal to move Central Library services to Stockroom consultation is running from 23 August to 18 October.

 You can view the full consultation report here.