Flagship cultural gem will be the Cornerstone of Kettering's creative quarter
Culture and tourism09 March 2022
The new name for Kettering’s flagship regeneration project - which has gone under the working title of GLaM – has been revealed in a report to North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive.
Cornerstone will be the new brand for the complex - reflecting how the old parts of the library and gallery buildings will unite with the new extension, as well as the site’s corner position within Kettering town centre.
The name – Cornerstone – was considered to be particularly apt for the development as the meaning of the name highlights that ‘it is an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based and that it is a thing of prime importance’.
The brand also captures the individual identities of Kettering Library, Kettering Museum, the Alfred East Gallery and the Manor House Gardens.
The strapline ‘Discover | Explore | Inspire’ has been adopted to reflect the theme of learning and the site’s wide-ranging offer that allows visitors to discover the past, explore the present and inspire for the future.
I’m delighted to introduce the new brand of Cornerstone – I do think it’s a fitting moniker for this flagship project which will breathe new life into this quarter of Kettering town centre, a major town within North Northamptonshire.Cllr Helen Howell, the council’s Deputy Leader and Executive member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism
By definition ‘cornerstone’ is a word which conveys the gravity of the project and reflects its importance culturally, economically and as a community asset.
It’s also wonderful that the project is progressing and we’re starting to see the many elements coming together. Once complete it will be a wonderful addition to the town and also to the wider North Northamptonshire area.
Once complete, Cornerstone will provide:
- Flexible workspace and exhibition space supporting start-ups, with support provided by the British Library led Business and IP Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire, providing the correct environment for creative and cultural businesses to start up and grow.
- Increased engagement with schools and educational institutions to deliver collaborative programmes, to build curiosity, develop creative and cultural talent, creating future user and visitor opportunities.
- Two new events / workshop spaces, café and external terrace and improved public gardens on the site, enabling a wider range of events and activities including commercial events and opportunities.
The Executive report also provides an update on the works programme:
- The groundworks are now complete on site
- The steel frame is complete on site for the new extension and the retaining wall is poured
- The pre-cast concrete stairwell is in fabrication
- The Gallery wall linings and flooring have been stripped and redecoration is underway
- British Library Business Intellectual Property (BIP) Centre construction and refurbishment is substantially complete
I’m proud that we’re delivering this wonderful project which helps to deliver so many key objectives for the council.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council
Creating a cultural treasure such as this will bring many benefits to the wider community and attract visitors, helping boost the local economy. I’m really looking forward to seeing it complete.
We are very happy to be supporting the regeneration of such a valuable cultural asset via £3m from the Getting Building Fund.SEMLEP Chief Executive, Hilary Chipping
The contribution to local economic and cultural recovery through new jobs, learners, businesses supported and the creation of fantastic new facilities for visitors will be something of which Kettering and the South East Midlands can rightly be proud.