Client: North Northamptonshire Council Location: Kettering Value: £3.7m
Design & Build
The redevelopment of Kettering’s Grade II Listed Gallery, Library and Museum (GLaM) involved an extensive refurbishment of the Gallery and Library and the construction of a two-storey extension connecting the historic Alfred East Gallery with the existing Library, with step free access from the existing car park.
Externally, the Museum received essential repairs to the masonry elevations and natural slate roof, with the new extension unifying the site. New landscaping draws people into the spaces, creating an attractive area for the public.
The works have also provided the community with a new café with an outdoor terrace, with a new events space, featuring views across the Manor House gardens to the Museum, improved Gallery facilities and flexible ground floor events space.
G F Tomlinson worked alongside a specialist Heritage team to ensure these significant works were carried out in-line with the strict project requirements, ensuring existing key facilities were not only enhanced for the public but also preserved.
Constructed within a confined busy town centre and adjacent a public car park, careful planning was carried out to ensure the correct methodologies were developed and implemented in accordance with the surrounding constraints. Perimeter fencing segregated construction activities away from the public, whilst deliveries were co-ordinated by our dedicated Logistics Manager to arrive ‘just in time’ to avoid multiple deliveries arriving/waiting at the same time, whilst also avoiding peak times for surrounding businesses and residents.
With funding from the Getting Building Fund, the redevelopment allow GLaM to become a Creative and Cultural anchor for North Northamptonshire, providing a blend of cultural amenity space and teaching facilities, whilst protecting and enhancing the historical fabric of the buildings.
“From the outset Site Manager, Matt and his team liaised with us for all aspects of the work being carried out. They were courteous to all users of the library and staff working in the library. I would highly recommend Tomlinson’s for any work in the future and sincerely wish the whole company, together with Matt and his team, every success.”
Sheila Jolley, Library Manager North Northamptonshire Council
