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Library back home three years after rain damage move

Alex Pope
Kettering Library A group of women, all standing outside a stone building, on its steps, smiling and looking straight at the camera. They are all by a large wooden door, and mostly have lanyards on round their necks.Kettering Library
Kettering Library reopened in its original home on 6 July

A library has returned to its original home nearly three years after it had to relocate because of damage caused by heavy rain.

Since October 2023, Kettering Library has been housed in an extension at the rear of the building, formerly known as Cornerstone.

Restoration work costing about £4.8m started on the 1904 Grade II listed building in June 2025.

The building has had its entire roof repaired with Collyweston slate tiles that have come from the county, and its stonework and windows repaired.

North Northamptonshire Council The outside of a building, with stone around the windows and doorway, and red brick. It has a large wooden door, with railings up to it. A sign is to the left, and it has a light slate roof. North Northamptonshire Council
Restoration of the building has been going on for about a year

The building is also the home of the Alfred East Gallery, Manor House Museum and Manor House Gardens.

Kettering Library opened in 1904 and expanded in 1913, when an art gallery complex was built on the side of the main building.

In 2021, a modern extension was added to the whole complex, including the Manor House Museum, where the library moved to.

North Northamptonshire Council The outside of a large brick and stone building, with a church spire to the left, behind the building. There is scaffolding up outside the building. There is also a large blue sky. Trees are to the left and behind the building to the right. North Northamptonshire Council
The roof was completely replaced

North Northamptonshire Council, which owns and runs the building, said since the temporary move it had welcomed about 122,000 visitors, issued 95,930 books and hosted 410 events.

It said a small amount of disruption would remain while the work was completed.

Reform UK councillor Greg Wilcox, its executive member for communities, said: "Whilst the team has been based in their temporary home, the Library has continued to be well-used, and we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has walked through the doors and supported the team."

North Northamptonshire Council An inside of a library, with a wooden arch, books on lots of shelves, a wooden herringbone floor, tables, and arched ceilings. North Northamptonshire Council
All the books have been moved from the building's modern extension back into its original rooms

Martin Griffiths, its leader, said he was happy the library was now back in "its stunning original home".

A formal reopening of the site is due to coincide with Northamptonshire Day at the end of October.

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