Road closure sees final chapter for £9.3m Kettering library and art gallery roof replacement project
Kettering residents won’t have much longer to wait to see what the £9.3m roof replacement project for their art gallery and library looks like – more than five years after work first began at the site.
The roof of the Grade II-listed Kettering Library and the adjoining Alfred East Art Gallery – also known as Cornerstone – have had their roofs stripped and replaced with a mixture of coverings, including a bespoke order of premium heritage Northamptonshire Collyweston stone.
North Northants Council appointed contractor Messenger in February 2025 who placed a temporary tent over the building to enable work.
The huge tarpaulins covering the roofs will be removed under a five-day road closure from Monday, May 11, to allow a crane on site to remove the scaffolding currently on site – then on a phased approach, revealing the new roof works and refurbished cupola.
Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northants Council’s executive member for communities, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the site – the final chapter in the project.
“For the first time in nearly a year, residents of Kettering and further afield will be able to see the library roof and the excellent work that has been completed on site.
“Once the scaffolding has come down, there will be some final touches to be undertaken. But we are so nearly there and almost ready to welcome residents back through the original library doors. Please keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”
The Sheep Street complex needed major repairs to its roofs that became apparent after the addition of a £4.5m extension.
Rain had been leaking through broken tiles and joins where the new extension to the Alfred East Art Gallery was added.
Inside Kettering Library, wheelie bins and plastic sheeting had been used to catch rainwater dripping through the ceiling on to the new wooden floor.
The project is one month ahead of a timeline issued at the start of the work.
Throughout the works, it was deemed unnecessary to replace one section of roof on the library as it was in good condition, which has helped with further reducing the overall cost of the project by £2m.
As the scaffolding is removed, there will be some final works required before the library can move back into its permanent home and open – it is anticipated this will be in July 2026. Once the library has moved, works will be carried out to fully open the whole site.
Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: “I can’t wait to see these beautiful buildings fully open and the new roof in the sunshine – it really will be a sight to behold.
“Looking to the future, this stunning part of Kettering – home to the Alfred East Art Gallery, museum and a fantastic library – will be the centre of Northamptonshire Day this autumn.”
There will be a full diversion in place and two-way access will be maintained for local businesses and residents only via Market Street.
Work continues internally, following engagement with local stakeholders, on the new identity for the wider site and an announcement will be made soon, alongside further updates about the full re-opening of the site.