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Kettering Library closure due to leaking roof is a 'disaster'

Burgess Von Thunen/Geograph Kettering library, part of CornerstoneBurgess Von Thunen/Geograph
The Cornerstone building houses Kettering Library and the Alfred East Art Gallery, both closed because of roofing issues

Friends of a historic building housing a library, museum and art gallery say its closure due to a leaking roof is a "disaster".

Part of the ceiling of the Cornerstone building in Kettering collapsed last month due to heavy rain.

Dr David Brown, chairman of its friends group, said the issue should have been "anticipated" during renovations.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) said repair costs would be "eye-watering".

Maura Bright The Alfred East Gallery, built in 1903, showing the new building at the backMaura Bright
The Alfred East Gallery was built in 1903 and a new block was opened in 2022

The Grade II-listed building houses Kettering Library, Kettering Museum and the Alfred East Gallery and stands in Manor House Gardens.

Dr Brown, chairman of Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum, said: "It's all a disaster and as time goes by it all gets worse and worse.

"It should have been anticipated. There should have been some kind of contingency set aside at the beginning of renovation works."

He said there was no formal news on repair costs.

"It wouldn't be beyond expectations if we're talking £5m", he said.

Protection to cover the building would have to be "tailor-made" and might cost £2m alone, he claimed.

Maura Bright A statue of Sir Alfred EastMaura Bright
Painter Sir Alfred East was born in Kettering in 1844 and a statue of him remains in the grounds of the building

Helen Howell, Conservative deputy leader of the council, said: "We absolutely intend to reopen the building as soon as we possibly can.

"We are fully committed to bringing this building back up to a fantastic standard and insuring that we have an amazing cultural offering for not only Kettering, but for the whole of North Northamptonshire."

When the library roof was surveyed in 2019 it was predicted it would need to be replaced within about 10 years, she said, but severe weather had made the problem worse.

Repair costs were still being finalised and would be published next week, she said, but would be "an eye-watering figure".

"Our prime concern is health and safety, safety to the public, our staff, so we've had to close it, but the moment we can reopen it will reopen," she said.

"We've got to find the money from somewhere."

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