West Suffolk Archives in Bury St Edmunds could move to Western Way

Suffolk County Council is considering 'options for the future' of the West Suffolk Archives branch in Bury St Edmunds.

Currently the West Suffolk Archive, previously known as the records office, is located in Raingate Street.

The council have said their preferred option is to relocate the service to a proposed Western Way public services hub.

Councillor Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for equality and communities at the county council, said: "The Western Way development presents an exciting opportunity to invest in the archives service in the west of the county, protecting it for future generations.

"We need to ensure that our archives service is fit for the future, operates efficiently and provides value for money for our residents."

"It also needs to be accessible to all our visitors, whether it remains at our existing branch in Raingate Street or moves to the new development at Western Way."

Cllr Bennett continued: "We are committed to continuing to provide an archives branch in Bury St Edmunds, as well as preserving and storing archive documents from the area going back centuries, safely for future generations.

"Our archives branches are open to everyone, and we want to share the Suffolk stories and histories we hold spanning more than 900 years of history, with as many local people as possible."

In a statement the council said recent investigations showed that if the service were to remain at Raingate Street, 'alterations requiring significant investment' would be needed for the long-term future sustainability of the building.

They said improvements would also be needed to increase accessibility for disabled users.

Suffolk County Council will consider the proposals to move the West Suffolk Archives to the new Western Way development at a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, February 21.

Proposals for the Western Way hub include a new leisure centre.