Proposed library and community hub to revitalise town
A new library, community and enterprise hub would drive a massive increase in footfall in Burton town centre and create an opportunity to regenerate a prime site on the waterfront, say council and business leaders in the town.
The Burton Town Deal Board has secured £22.8 million of the Government 's Towns Fund money. The library proposal is one of seven connected projects that aim to revitalise the town centre economy, bringing more footfall and businesses into the town centre.
The Towns Fund offers a once in a generation investment in the town - from central Government and at no additional cost to local taxpayers - to help the economy recover from the pandemic and respond over the long-term to people 's changing shopping habits.
The library proposal would see state-of-the-art facilities transform the Market Hall and help to preserve an important part of the town 's heritage. The building would house a range of community services, including an enterprise centre for small businesses, exhibition and flexible performance space, meeting rooms, a caf� and more.
Staffordshire County Council 's cabinet member for communities and culture, Victoria Wilson, said: “The Towns Fund proposals offer us the opportunity to use central government funding to begin a once in a generation transformation of Burton town centre and modernise our library and community services. The library project is one of a series of exciting proposals to breathe new life into Burton and regenerate the town centre.
“Restoring a valuable heritage building in the Market Hall and giving the building a secure long-term future will help to preserve it for generations to come. The move will also bring more people to the market square outside, offering opportunities to new and existing businesses in what is currently an under-used part of the town centre.
She added: “Relocating to the Market Hall, in addition to bringing in other services such as an enterprise centre, will increase visitor numbers to the library and surrounding area. It is closer to the town centre, the college and public transport routes. Doing nothing is not an option - the library service needs to modernise to reflect community needs today."
Staffordshire County Council aims to emulate the success of library service transformation in other towns, including Lichfield, Stafford and Newcastle.
By moving from its current site, it is projected that the new facilities would see increased visitor numbers - closer to the town centre, college and bus services.
The move would also provide a long-term home for Burton library, which is currently based in a building constructed in the 1970s that will require significant investment from council taxpayers if it is to continue in use.
If successful, the project would receive a £7.3million allocation from the national Towns Fund. There will be a public engagement event in the summer where people will be able to have their say and help shape future services.
East Staffordshire Borough Council 's deputy leader for leisure, amenities and tourism Bev Ashcroft, said: “Despite our best efforts the Market Hall service has been operating at a continued loss of £57,000 a year on average over the last five years. We have delivered many initiatives to help improve its offering.
"Potentially, incorporating the library offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the building by making fuller use of the space and bringing in more people, making it more sustainable."
Pictured: An artist's impression of what the library may look like