Surveys being carried out at the Mechanics' Institute this week

Swindon Borough Council are working with Historic England and the Mechanics' Institute to conduct surveys of the Institute building.

The Council say those who find themselves in the Railway Village over the course of this week may see some activity at the historic Mechanics' Institute building.

Working with Historic England and the Mechanics' Institution Trust, the Council will be carrying out a survey which will assess the condition of the building and identify any urgent actions that might need to take place to make sure the building remains safe.

Along with assessing its current condition, this latest survey will aim to identify the likely costs to restore the building to how it was at the time it was listed.

Once the Council have this information, it says it will be able to decide how to move forward with the building and enter into constructive discussions with the owner.

A spokesperson for the Council said: "It's a much-loved Swindon landmark at the heart of the Railway Village which has been standing derelict for over 20 years. But, through the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), we are working with a number of partners including Historic England and the Mechanics' Institution Trust, Swindon, on a long-term plan to bring Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institute back to life.

"As the building is privately owned, it's a complicated task which will take many years to take forward."

The Mechanics’ Institute is the priority project within the HAZ. The Council says bringing it back into use would have a hugely positive impact on Swindon’s wider town centre, and help to encourage further investment and increase footfall between the town’s Railway Quarter and the Town Centre.

As part of the work with the HAZ, Swindon Borough Council have already brought sections of Brunel’s former Carriage Works back into use by revamping units for higher education and independent businesses, something it says it hopes could form part of the Mechanics’ future.