Cornerstone works

The library building is closed for health and safety reasons as water ingress has caused parts of the ceiling to collapse.

Testing and surveys have been carried out to measure the damage and understand the work required to reopen safely. We are continuing to survey and monitor the building.

Roof replacement

The library roof is a 120 years old and needs to be completely replaced. The library has a listed status which means work must be carried out on a like-for-like basis by replacing the roof with Collyweston stone slate.

It is proposed that the building is covered in a specially designed, purpose-built tent to make it watertight. This will allow the library to open safely again while the specialised roof works are undertaken.

Current costings for the value of the entire project are estimated at £6.8m and a timeframe of 2 years has been proposed to complete all works.

Timeline for works:

• Site start - Monday 14 April 2025
• Scaffolding started - Friday 25 April 2025
• Library roof strip and replace begins - Monday 11 August 2025
• Art gallery roof strip and replace begins - Thursday 25 September 2025
• Remove scaffolding - Saturday 6 June 2026
• Complete project - Wednesday 5 August 2026

Update - 21 March 2025

Following the appointment of Messenger as the contractor, works will start on the site in Kettering from early April to replace the Grade 2 listed roof.

In April, scaffolding will start to go up on site, alongside a temporary roof to cover the building. 

As this work is happening, there will be some disruption on Sheep Street. There will be short term restrictions on Sheep Street including road closures for a week to allow a crane on site to lift the scaffolding into place.

Once the scaffolding is up, the crane will be removed, and Sheep Street will be open to vehicles as usual with pedestrian access to be maintained throughout the project, although there will be localised pedestrian diversions along Sheep Street.

Due to the nature of the project, hoardings will be installed around the building with access maintained for the entrance into the temporary library, but residents are advised to follow all signage and staff advice on site to stay safe. North Northamptonshire Council is liaising with Kettering Town Council and the Royal British Legion on any impact and disruption around the war memorials, which will need to be protected whilst work is ongoing.

Residents should be assured that both Messenger and North Northamptonshire Council are making every effort to minimise disruption throughout the duration of the project - which is expected to take just over a year to complete. 

Once work on replacing the slates begins, Messenger will be using a mixture of new, and where possible, reclaimed Collyweston slates on the roof.

The library remains temporarily relocated in the upper floor of the modern extension of Cornerstone for the foreseeable future and the library team continue to offer a full range of services and group activities.

A full timeline of the project works will shortly be published on the Cornerstone website and further updates will be published as the project progressed.

Update - 26 February 2025

Following a full procurement process, North Northamptonshire Council has appointed Messenger as the contractor to complete the roof replacement works on the Grade 2 listed roof on Cornerstone in Kettering.

Messenger are based in Collyweston, North Northamptonshire, and have a wealth of experience working on listed buildings and in laying Collyweston slates on sites including Royal Hospital Chelsea and Leicester Cathedral.

Now that a contractor has been appointed, physical work can be planned and will be able to begin on site using a mixture of new, and where possible, reclaimed Collyweston slates on the roof.

Officers from the council will now work with Messenger to confirm the detailed timeline for the next phases of the project and this timeline will be published as soon as possible.

The library continues to be temporarily relocated into the upper floor of the modern extension of Cornerstone for the foreseeable future, whilst the library team continue to offer a full range of services and group activities.

Vegetation removal

Ivy and Virginia Creeper are causing damage to the building. We will be removing this vegetation and cleaning up the exterior to prevent damage and reduce long-term maintenance costs while allowing for the historical architecture of the building to be visible.

Last updated 15 April 2025