Wilmslow could get its own Heritage Centre

The idea of a Heritage Centre is a good one - particularly if there could be a permanent display on Lindow Man. Parts of the old RAF camp also fell within Wilmslow and this could be another display. Built in heritage trails could be added.

I too think this is an idea well worth investigating. It would bring both money and people into the town.

It would be brilliant if we could exhibit local Artists and Designers work. The surrounding area is full of the most amazingly talented people, let's embrace this!

I think that a Heritage centre in the old stable block would be good for the town. It would renovate an old building in a prominent position. It could be used to exhibit the many talents of Wilmslow people past and present.

Jackie Have a look at the Wilmslow Trust's Town Trail Map. Free,from Wilmslow Library.

Thanks Raymond - just been to the interactive version on the Trust's website. As a matter of intersest - how many of the local schools use this excellent resource?

Jackie - The Wilmslow Historical Society also already publishes a number of historic trails of the town and surrounding area.

Let's all get our thinking caps on! it's a great project for WTC and our community to work on.
Prof Alan Turing is known world wide. My comms chums and I can design encryption/communication interactive displays, including morse code. Simplified Bletchley Park display.
Lindow man is also an excellent opportunity. A heritage centre on the peat bog might be better (previous submission).
Suspect Vardo won't pass the 'so what' test.

We missed an opportunity to name the Wilmslow or Alderley bypasses after Alan Turing instead of the obscure names they now carry.

It can't be too late to put that right.

It would be a near-zero cost opportunity to honour Wilmslow's most significant resident, and more obvious and perhaps longer lasting than anything in a heritage centre.

Wilmslow Heritage Centre - certainly a proposal worthy of serious consideration. In addition to Alan Turing, 'Romany' and Wilmslow Pete, let us not forget another ex resident - Helen Bradley (artist). All of whom can have their own storyboards. Also a photo montage of old Wilmslow to supplement a 'History of Wilmslow'?

Since the stables have been derelict for some time, it begs the question why CEC and Cllr Rod Menlove did not consider renovating them when searching for a weather-proof enclosure to keep the Vardo in Wilmslow rather than asking Tatton Park (CEC property) & Styal Mill for a 'home' before donating it to a Bradford Museum, where it sits in a similar 'shed'?

Wilmslow has needed this sort of thing for years. Heritage of Lindow Common, The Carrs, should be included in the display too.

I guess everyone, correctly, is focusing positively on a heritage use for the old stables. But what about the other disused building mentioned; the former public toilets building in South Drive? Am I alone in thinking that these toilets should never have been allowed to close? Wilmslow is the third largest shopping town centre in the Borough. It attracts crowds of visitors for the Artisan Market and the Motor Show. Do we know what these visitors think of us not being able to provide "facilities"? I believe most of the other towns in the Borough still have their town centre toilets open, either provided by Cheshire East (Crewe and Macclesfield) or by the respective town/parish councils. I know WTC is hoping to build toilets near the entrance to the Carrs but these won't exactly be central for the main shopping flows. What does Wilmslow Business Group think?

An interesting proposition.

The prospect of using the former public toilet block as a heritage centre was broached as early as 18 months ago at the Heritage Day held at Wilmslow library. the proponent was a gentleman who was hosting one of the stalls at the event, but I'm afraid I forget his name. There did not seem to be any great enthusiasm on the part of the other organisations represented at the event.

We have not been given much detail, so it is perhaps a little early to say it is affordable. I understand that the Town Council would be funding the acquisition of the buildings but what about other costs? There would be capital costs such as repair, refurbishment and outfitting, as well as ongoing costs such as utilities, business rates, insurance for the buildings and contents, staffing, insurance and training of staff or volunteers, security, etc.

Will the town Council be providing the staff to ruin a heritage centre? Or will there be some sort of co-ordinating body or committee?

I feel that it is probably an unnecessary expense, as there are facilities in the library for displays and exhibitions, generally ignored by most local groups. There is enough empty space in the library at ground floor level to provide temporary exhibition space for changing displays, which would have the added advantage of bringing more people into the library. This could be a win-win situation, supporting then library as well as local groups, and would allow visitors to follow up their interests by using the library's facilities.

Wilmslow certainly needs some sort of visitor attraction but I don't think a small heritage centre in a converted public toilet is going to pull the crowds in. And what's more, visitors need public toilets.

I certainly see great value in having a heritage centre in Wilmslow and agree that the disused stable block seems to be a good candidate, certainly in terms of the nature of the building, however, I wonder if the building is a large enough space to accommodate a heritage centre substantial enough to be anything beyond a point of local interest. If the intent is to bring together historic items, such as the Vardo, Lindow Man and the Turing collection, creating a destination in its own right, to draw out of town visitors, my feel is that something more substantial would be required, in part to make the most of displaying these items.

Heritage centre .. Yes..... But Use the underused Leisure centre in some capacity......
( remember the fairly recent historic dialogue how it may need to close....)

Then build something more useful at the stables location that will pay its way; Shop , Bar, Restaurant etc ( Not a Coffee shop ! )

Maybe appease some of the COGS (Concrete Over Green Spaces) campaigners if something of a residential nature was built

I've lived in Wilmslow for just over 20 years now and in all that time i've seen lots of high street outlets come and go. I assume that's because someone, somewhere has decided that the return on their investment isn't paying its way. This includes retail shops of different kinds, restaurant and bars etc.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the one thing that i haven't seen close yet is a coffee shop!! Therefore I assume that someone, somewhere has decided that the return on their investment in a coffee shop is paying its way.

Maybe there is still room in the market for more coffee shops!!!!!

Stuart.......... Whitbread Brewery I believe own COSTA's chain........ 90% water taxed at approx £2+ a pint in beer is converted into significantly more profit and less tax on a cup of coffeee !!

Or plan B ........ just knock down the eyesore and create more car parking !!

I popped into Costa today whilst out on a Wilmslow Clean Team Litter picking event. I was surprised how full the place was at 11:00am in the morning. I counted 25+ people doing all sorts of different thing over a beverage. These included reading; making a phone call; working on a laptop, having a meeting, having and just staring into oblivion etc...

It seems to me that Whitbread have obviously realised that the coffee shop is the 21st century alternative to the traditional 18th / 19th / early 20th century public house.

Isn't that what free market economics is all about. Companies diversifying their business model so it is adaptable to a change in the market place.

And whist I was in Barclays Bank this afternoon a gentlemen in the queue made a comment that "Soon Wilmslow will only have coffee shops".

Great idea.. I am happy to help to rejuvenate the building.Not an artisan,but can push a paint roller ,or fill a skip. I am sure we can find many volunteers to offer their skills.Also companies who can sponser ,with materials..and their names be listed on the building for providing help.