Cheltenham is set to get a brand-new digital learning and skills hub, thanks to a £250,000 award for Gloucestershire Libraries.
The new hub in the Oakley area of Cheltenham will be equipped with the latest digital technology, including an ‘immersive reality’ room which will provide an interactive, 3D experience with projections on the walls, as well as free WiFi and computers for the public to use.
Offering free facilities, training, and support with literacy and learning to the whole community, the hub will have a specific focus on early years children, schools, students and isolated adults from local sheltered accommodation.
Cabinet member for libraries, councillor Dave Norman, said: ‘It’s fantastic news that our aspirations for the community of Oakley have been acknowledged by Arts Council England through this successful bid and we’re very grateful for their support. It will enable us to create an exciting new facility offering the latest digital technology to help with skills and learning.
‘I’m sure it will be an invaluable asset for the whole community and I look forward to seeing it take shape and hearing from local people about how they would like to see it developed.’
The funding for the new hub comes from the Libraries Improvement Fund from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports and is being delivered by Arts Council England.
Work is due to begin in April 2022 with a proposed completion date of spring 2023, following a consultation with the local community.
