The external design of the hub building
We have softened the colour and reduced the amount of cladding.
We have simplified the architectural detailing and made the entrance easier to recognise.
We have increased the glazing to bring in more natural light.
Other external changes we are making in response to your feedback include:
- adding public art to the building elevation that faces Lidl
- adding a green wall to the building elevation that faces Radcliffe Market
- providing accessible seating within the building and to the outside public space
- equipping the bandstand for performances and use by community groups
The hub in general (including parking and public realm)
The new library will continue to have all the current resources, facilities and activities and the new building will comply with all current regulations that make spaces accessible for disabled people. We have also consulted with a range of local groups to ensure the design of the hub meets the needs of local communities.
The new library will have:
- extended opening hours outside of normal working hours
- accessible equipment and assistive technology (eg screen readers for people with visual impairments and computer screen overlays for people with dyslexia)
- sensory pods and quiet areas to provide a calming space for children with autism and other diverse needs
- a wide range of reading books and audio books on a vast range of subjects
- space available to local community groups
The new leisure centre will have:
- pool pod lifts to assist disabled people enter and exit the pool, and go from poolside to swimming, completely independently.
- a training pool with a moveable floor to adjust the pool depth as needed.
- gym equipment that is suitable for people with a range of disabilities.
- a high specification changing village with a Changing Places disabled toilet.
The external public area surrounding the civic hub will have:
- a primary stair-free route to the main entrance
- fully accessible pedestrian areas (in accordance with best practice guidance)
- fully legible signage at strategic locations
- comfortable and fully accessible street furniture
- a coach drop-off and accessible parking bay in Dale Street
- a vehicle drop-off bay in Church Street
A new car park won’t be provided as part of the new development scheme. However, accessible disabled parking bays and parking bays for coaches, mini-buses and taxis will be made available near to the hub. Eight dedicated Blue Badge bays will be made available, the number recommended by Sport England for a building of this size and capacity.
As the new hub building will be located within Radcliffe town centre and within a reasonable distance of the bus station and Radcliffe Metrolink stop, it is anticipated that most visitors to the hub will be able to travel via public transport, walk or cycle to the hub.
At existing car parks, measures will be put in place to facilitate greater turnover of spaces which will help visitors that choose to travel by car.
Cycle parking will be provided at the front and left-hand side of the civic hub building. Short and long stay parking options will be provided. For short stay there will be open hoops adjacent to the building. For long stay there will be a covered lockable cycle store situated within the grounds of the Piazza.
On the ground floor of the hub, there will be a good-sized cafe serving a variety of snacks and drinks.
The management of the Piazza will remain with Radcliffe Market, but we are working on ways to improve the method through which trading space can be booked.
Day-to-day building maintenance will be provided by Bury Council using a dedicated Facilities Manager. To minimise the level of maintenance required, high quality furniture, fixtures and equipment are being selected.
High street stores everywhere are struggling and it's a challenge to provide the kinds of shops that would be traditionally seen in town centres. This project aims to make the town centre a vibrant, exciting place to be, which offers inclusive facilities for the local community, which will provide draw for potential future investments within the town centre.
Leisure and wellbeing
The roof top gym space and wellbeing area will be open to the air with some covered areas. The space is intended for to be used all year round. A full risk assessment will be carried out in connection with its usage.
There will be a family changing village with separate cubicles for all to use, plus separate male and female toilet areas. Fixed overhead slats will be in place across the top of each cubicle for added privacy. Staff will check and clean the changing village regularly.
Castle Leisure Centre sports hall will be available within Bury town centre. The centre is on a bus route and close to the Metrolink station.
Once the new secondary school is open, we will pursue a community use agreement with a view to members of the public being able to use the school sports hall in the evenings and at weekends. The decision whether to grant community use rests with the school.
The leisure centre will be open as usual until late 2023. The site will then be decommissioned and handed over to the DfE (by March 2024) to build the new secondary school. In the interim period before the leisure centre opens at the new civic hub in winter 2024, a range of activities will be offered at community sites in Radcliffe.
- Instructor-led fitness classes
- Table tennis sessions
- Wellbeing sessions (including chair-based activities and help for people with long-term conditions)
- Pop-up gym sessions
- Live Well Service support clinics
An outdoor activities programme will also be offered at Radcliffe’s green spaces.
Swimming lessons and sessions will run at Castle Leisure Centre and Ramsbottom Pool.
Customers will be able to choose to become a member or pay per session. Charges will be consistent with other the other Bury Leisure centres at Bury and Ramsbottom and with other similar leisure facilities across Greater Manchester.
A wide range of membership options will be offered, including a discount card or concession membership for eligible residents.
For those wishing to use the facilities regularly, membership will offer better value.
Library
The new library will have:
- Extra space to allow for a wider selection of books and reading materials.
- Better reading and relaxation areas
- More comprehensive digital skills and technology support and training opportunities
- A much larger dedicated children's library
- Improved facilities for people with disabilities
- Dedicated community spaces
- A dedicated area for local history and archives
- Improved computer access and Wi-Fi
- Space to accommodate an extensive programme of regular events.
The library is being moved to bring it together with leisure, wellbeing, and other support services all within the same building. This will allow residents to access a range of quality facilities and services all in one place, right in the heart of Radcliffe town centre.
The new civic hub building will be a modern purpose-built venue that will be able to be open 7 days a week. We also plan to introduce Open Plus, a self-service function that will extend the opening hours of the library and offer greater choice in how and when people access library facilities.
We appreciate that the current Radcliffe library building is well-loved by Radcliffe residents and is a key part of the town's history. We are currently looking at how this space could be used to support Radcliffe's local business community.
Radcliffe library has a partnership with Bury Adult Learning Service, through which free digital training classes are provided. Free Wi-Fi and access to electronic books and magazines, and audio books are provided. Additional services that could offered will be investigated, such as coding clubs for children.