New 'family hub' could be opening in Staines
The vacant former Decathlon store in Staines town centre could become a “family hub” complete with modernised library and museum facilities.
Surrey County Council has applied for planning permission to change the former sports store in the Elmsleigh Centre, into a functioning public space.
If approved, the town’s library and museum would relocate into the refurbished site- together with a cafe and community room.
The high-profile space, which backs onto the town centre and is within minutes of Staines Railway Station, has been vacant since February 2021 but the council’s application could soon find it full once more.
The planning documents submitted to support the bid read: “The unit in its current state has been vacant for a considerable amount of time and presents a good opportunity to develop a new community hub for residents to access uses including a museum, library, workrooms, outdoor breakout space, and a youth hub.”
The new space would be spread across two levels with the museum and library occupying the redecorated ground floor.
There would also be unisex toilets, baby changing facilities, and social spaces including meeting rooms, a lobby, and an outdoor terrace with seating and foldable canopy.
The county council has said the plans are part of its commitment to have “modern and progressive libraries that are bright, welcoming, flexible spaces creating vibrant hubs for each local community” across its existing 52 branches.
If approved, the current Staines library and Spelthorne Museum would close and make the 150m journey to the Elmsleigh Centre.
According to the planning papers, the replacement library would provide Surrey County Council the opportunity to improve what it can offer from the branch and give more people access to a wider range of services.
The paper read: “The proposed Staines Hub will be located in a vacated commercial unit that sits in the corner of Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, facing the A308 and next to the Staines Bus Station.
“It is 0.4 miles from Staines train station, less than 10 minutes’ walk, and 40 metres from Staines bus station.
“The close proximity of these two key transport links will support the visibility of the site in becoming an effective family hub.”