Ramsgate Library

When a fire destroyed the interior of Ramsgate Library, leaving only its Grade II listed façade intact, Kent County Council quickly needed to get library services up and running again. Such was the extent of the damage that the old building would need to be rebuilt around the surviving stonework, which meant a temporary library was needed to serve the community in the meantime.

After assessing the damage, the council’s insurers, Zurich Municipal, brought in its approved modular building supplier, Portakabin, to provide temporary accommodation. The company’s Ultima modular building solution was ideal for creating the large open-plan space required for the temporary library, and Portakabin worked with the council to specify a building that would meet its requirements.

Consultancy firm Faber Maunsell was brought in to manage the project and appoint sub-contractors. The Portakabin building was delivered and installed on the agreed date, in line with Portakabin’s Customer Charter pledge to deliver all buildings on time and on budget. As well as the open-plan library space, the building incorporates a staff area and toilet facilities.

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Lydia Morrow, Project Manager at Faber Maunsell, says: “Portakabin fulfilled all of its commitments to the project. They have since been very responsive to my requests for minor changes to the building. The temporary library is likely to be in use for two to three years, while the old library is rebuilt, so it’s important we get it absolutely right. Local people seem very happy with their new facility, and someone even suggested that there’s no need to build a new library now.”

Rueben Guildford, Customer Services Officer at Ramsgate Library, says: “The building has been very warmly received by staff and local people alike. We all feel that it will provide a very good library facility until we can move back into our original building.”