Fears Don't Grow For Old Building, Story Recycled

The news that the Mechanics' Institute has been put on another 'at risk' list, this time by the Victorian Society, has triggered the recycling of a story several years old.

Every time some new listing or inclusion is made to the empty Mechanics' Institute, a call goes out how urgent repairs are needed and how 'fears are growing' for the building.

Several years ago the building was boarded up and the roof was made safe, it is at less risk of structural failure than it has been since it became empty in the 1980s.

Swindon Centric Says ; It's not at greater risk of collapse, it's has been abandoned for long enough, that's the real story. So why are we not badgering Swindon Borough Council to give us a date by which repair work starts, regardless of who owns it? If commercially, things are not viable, the Council should take it into authority ownership and take the responsibility itself.

That would show courage and proper leadership.