The local community arrived in force to see Dr Alice Roberts, famous from her TV presenter roles from BBC2's Don't Die Young and Channel 4's Time Team, open Staple Hill Library and Dedication Court on Saturday 28 February at 11am.
The £2.1 million development in Broad Street has been delivered in partnership by Sovereign Housing Association and South Gloucestershire Council. The scheme, built by ISG Pearce, includes a state-of-the-art library and14 affordable homes, comprising a mix of general needs rent and part buy, part rent houses and apartments. All the rental homes have already been occupied and only one shared ownership property is still available for purchase.
James Gibson, Assistant Director for Sovereign Housing Group, stated, "The Staple Hill Library and Dedication Court opening was a great advertisement for delivering community facilities and much needed social housing in the same development. Sovereign Housing Association is very pleased to have worked with South Gloucestershire Council on this scheme. It is really good for the community to have such a good library and new affordable housing in such a central location. The library has also already seen membership jump by 50% so it seems that it is already a hit with the local community."
The new improved library has indeed been a great success with local residents. It offers more space for books, greater access to computers, and plenty of space for events and community group meetings.
Following the event Heather Goddard, Executive Councillor for Communities commented, “It was great to have Dr Alice Roberts to open the library, her enthusiasm for libraries and encouraging people to have an active mind in an active body is exactly what South Gloucestershire library service is all about. This is a library that we have looked forward to for a number of years and the partnership has delivered a building that we can be very proud of”
The Avon fire service also turned up to pay their respects to the Avon firefighter, Fleur Lombard, who lost her life in 1996 tackling a fire in a nearby supermarket. The original plaque honouring her memory has been moved to a new place outside the library with a planter where friends and family can plant flowers to remember her. The name of Dedication Court has also been given to the new homes.
