Officially open for business
From Leader of the Council, Councillor Ken Meeson on 02 March 2010
Solihull Council’s brand new library and Solihull Connect walk-in building in Chelmsley Wood town centre has been officially opened.
The building is part of a project between the Council, shopping centre owners Fordgate and Advantage West Midlands to breathe new life into the town centre. The project has also seen refurbishments made to the shopping centre malls, new public toilets and a new bus interchange to make travelling in and out of the town centre easier.
The new library features special zones especially for children and teenagers as well as a quiet study room and new self-service kiosks, along with a wide range of books, DVDs and CDs.
As well as the new library, there is the Solihull Connect Walk-In where residents can pay their bills or make Council related enquiries such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax and Blue Badges. There is also an automated cash payment machine for residents to pay their bills.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Norman Davies officially opened the building on Monday (1 March).
The Mayor also met Castle Bromwich resident, Jenny Sills who won a Council competition to come up with a name for the new development.
Jenny came up with the name ‘The Bluebell Centre’ after being inspired by her memories of visiting the local bluebell filled woods with her two sisters.
Jenny said: “I have lived most of my life in the north of the borough and as I also work in the north of the borough I have always been interested in new developments and making the area better for the people who live and work there. I think the new facilities are brilliant and very light and airy with plenty of colour. I was particularly pleased to see all the bluebell murals in the Connect centre and I think they have captured the essence of what Chelmsley Wood was before it became the big area that it is today. It is also pleasing that the ‘divide’ between the north and south of the borough is now narrowing and that when everything is complete it will be a very good place to live and work.”
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ken Meeson who attended the opening, said: “Located next door to the new Asda superstore, this development is situated right at the heart of the community, bringing services right to where local people need them. The building offers first class facilities for residents and it’s great to see it officially opened. This is very much a building for local people and it’s great that one of our residents got the chance to give it a name.”
For more information about the Chelmsley Wood town centre development call 0121 704 6155 or email mswallow@solihull.gov.uk
For enquiries from members of the press and media only: 0121 704 8172
Email: juharrison@solihull.gov.uk