Swindon's Mechanics Institute set to be reopened
But the Council says the project will take "many years"
AN ICONIC landmark at the heart of the Railway Village is being brought back to life.
Through the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institute, which has been standing derelict for more than 20 years, will be restored and brought back into use.
Swindon Borough Council is working on the project with a number of partners, including Historic England and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust
But as the building is privately owned, it’s a complicated task which the Council says will take “many years to take forward”.
Residents may see some activity at the historic building over the next week or so, as a survey is carried out which will assess the condition of the building and identify any urgent actions that might need to take place to ensure it remains safe.
The survey will also analyse the likely costs to restore the building, to how it was at the time it was listed.
Once the Council has this information, it will then be able to decide how it can move forward and enter into constructive discussions with the building's owner.
The Council said in a Facebook post: “The Mechanics’ Institute is the priority project within the HAZ. Bringing it back into use would have a hugely positive impact on Swindon’s wider town centre, encourage further investment and increase footfall between the town’s Railway Quarter and the Town Centre.
“As part of the work with the HAZ, we have already brought sections of Brunel’s former Carriage Works back into use by revamping units for higher education and independent businesses, something we hope could form part of the Mechanics’ future.”
'Somewhere people can visit and be inspired'
Councillor Robert Jandy, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “This survey is an important piece of work which will go a long way to establish the current condition of the Mechanics and what will be needed to make it safe.
“As part of our Heritage Action Zone, this iconic building must be part of any future regeneration projects and we hope to work with its current owner to make that a possibility.
“In the future, we are also hoping this building, along with new businesses in the Carriage Works, will help improve the links to the town centre and our railway station and Designer Outlet. We have a great historical heritage in our town and we want it to be somewhere people can visit and be inspired.”