Gleeds renovates Libraries in the London Borough of Hillingdon
(26/04/2010)

Gleeds has recently completed its sixth project in an on-going programme of renovations to Libraries in the London Borough of Hillingdon, and has just started work on the seventh. Gleeds was appointed by Hillingdon Council as Cost Managers to the current wave of 12 projects, which has a total value of nearly £3 million.

The scheme saw the refurbishment and renovation of six existing libraries across the Borough at Harefield, West Drayton, Yiewsley, Charville, Oaklands Gate and Ickenham. All sites now benefit from improved stock capacities and extended opening hours as well as having refurbished cafes with Starbucks coffee facilities. In addition, all six have been given new layouts, lighting and improved disabled access with WiFi on all new sites.

At the West Drayton site, visitors will have the opportunity to utilise a brand new outdoor patio area and, thanks to the improved internal spaces, free Apple Mac computer access and IT classes are now also available. The Harefield site features a specially designed children’s storytelling area to encourage younger visitors and a refurbished reception area will ensure a friendlier welcome.

“Thanks to this programme of renovations, all sites on which we’ve worked have seen a dramatic increase in visitor numbers and borrowings” said Stuart Senior, Managing Partner of Gleeds Nottingham. He went on to add, “We are delighted that the refurbishments, and additional services that they have allowed, are helping the London Borough of Hillingdon to buck the trend for declining numbers of library visitors across the country”.

Jean Palmer, Director of Planning and Commmunity Services at Hillingdon Council said: “The renovation work to our libraries has been an important part of our wider review of the way we deliver these services to our residents, which has looked at the fundamentals- better books, managed so they can be on the shelves faster, provided in an environment that people will welcome using. We look forward to continuing with the programme to complete the improvements across all our libraries.”