Page 10 - link magazine

10 swindonlink.com • January 2009
Mega town centre youth venue could be just the ticket

Work to refurbish the former Railway Museum to create a centre for young people is on track for completion by mid-summer.
Scaffolding went up in October as such as Connexions. A small cafe
work began on the £1.1 million refit, area and an internet facility is
funded by Swindon Council. planned.
The Platform youth centre will The scaffolding should be re-
provide a 580 square metre area to moved in January and the offices
be used for events, performances, are due to open in April. The main
concerts and possibly sports. Be- hall should be ready in July.
tween the pillars in the main hall, Almost half of the budget is being
there is a space large enough for a spent on stabilising the structure
full size tennis court which could for the future.
be large enough to accommodate “Repairs to electrics, chimneys,
200 people at an event. windows and roofs will ensure
A wing of the building - once that the building is sound,” said
a chapel, dormitories for railway Councillor Nick Martin, cabinet
workers, a museum and a tempo- lead member for buildings. “We’ve
rary base for the New Mechanics’ been spending money to protect the
Trust - is being converted into offices fabric of the building for the next
for Swindon Youth Service and also hundred years. We’re preserving
information and advice services Swindon’s history.” Nick Martin on the roof of The Platform with contract manager Steve Webb
Use your local halls or lose them Back to the drawing board for Mechanics’
Coun Martin is taking a hard look at social halls managed by the council, A Government Planning Inspector has declared that not enough work
particularly Roughmoor social hall on Swinley Drive, Peatmoor. has been undertaken to discover whether the derelict and crumbling
“The council’s budget is under terrific cost pressure so we need to be Mechanics’ Institution building in the town centre should be restored
looking at our income generating assets. We need to see if buildings are for social and community uses in the town centre.
being used effectively and whether alternatives would be appropriate. The inspector has told Swindon that a hotel is not a form of ‘public
“Roughmoor social hall is an example of an under-used community
resource which has to be considered for review.” Council to consider the availability access.’
At the end of the year or early 2010 Upper Shaw Farm social hall will of grant assistance and ownership “We are contacting the council,
be closed when Shaw Ridge Primary School opens with community options for the restoration of the Me- the owner and our MPs with a
facilities. chanics’ Institute to its historic use view to negotiating a purchase with
The location of Swindon Council’s social halls and conditions for as a centre for learning, cultural and grant funding to achieve the uses
community and private hire can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/ social activities before alternative for which the people of Swindon
community-hire-2 or call 466486. and commercial redevelopment have worked for so long.
uses are considered. “A wide range of charitable
The Mechanics’ Institution has organisations are poised to sup-
stood empty for 22 years. Owner port us publicly; this news is just
Matthew Singh has made several what the Trust needed to break
attempts to secure planning per- the log-jam.”
mission to demolish parts of the However Swindon Council
Grade II* listed building and erect a leader Rod Bluh said that whilst
multi-storey hotel, with conference he would like to see the Mechanics
Sale but English Heritage has blocked the building and does not have
facilities, offices and luxury flats, saved, the council does not own
Sale
such radical treatment.
the cash to rebuild or run it as a
Daniel Rose, chair of the New Me- social facility.
NOW ON chanics’ Trust, said, “this decision • English Heritage rates the building
NOW ON
throws the council’s past actions at its highest level of risk. The Grade
and policy towards the building II* puts it among the top 6 per cent
into disarray. The inspector clearly listed buildings in England.
www.new-mechanics.com
Half price on many items understood the Trust’s argument

start: saturday 3rd January 9am

China, crystal, cutlery,

jewellery, clocks, watches

and much more

DeaCon & Son (SwinDon) LtD
established 1848
11 - 15 wood Street, old town, Swindon
tel: 01793 527530 / 522072
also at: 42 High St, wootton Bassett. tel: 01793 852945
www.deacons-jewellers.com

1 - 21 January 09 Extreme.indd 10 15/12/08 15:10:29