Swindon: Plan to bring Mechanics' Institute back into use agreed

The Mechanics' Institute building has been left empty since 1986

A blueprint outlining how one of Swindon's most historic buildings can be put back into use has been approved.

The Grade II-listed Mechanics' Institute, once used as a self-contained community for railway workers, has been empty since 1986.

The project would see the building brought back into use in stages, as funds become available.

Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said the plan is the "right thing to do".

The Mechanics' Institute was built in 1855 as a social and community centre, and is privately owned by Forefront Estates.

'It won't be easy'

Named A Route Map for the Mechanics' Institute, the council-approved plan will find a mixture of uses, including educational for the building in Emlyn Square.

The council said the plan is "viable" and it would also resolve issues with the owner, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Marins Strinkovsky, cabinet member for heritage art and culture on the council, said the building is the "heart of Swindon and it needs to start beating again".

"There are no illusions that bringing the Mechanics' back into use will be easy, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take," she said.

"We are going to do that, we see a narrow path forward through this issue."

Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins said: "We are not flush with spare money but this issue is brought up often by residents.

"It is hugely important and using this route map is the right thing to do."

The route map was approved on Wednesday.

During the meeting, councillors refused calls to require the council to use the £1m it is expected to gain from the sale of two car parks in Old Town near The Corn Exchange into the Mechanics' Institute route map.

Last year the building needed urgent repairs worth £10,000.

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