Member Article

Specialist firm completes Bristol Central Library archive relocation

Chorley-based specialist removals provider, Andrew Porter Limited, has completed the relocation of more than five kilometres of files and books from Bristol Central Library.

The collection occupied a total of 5,728 metres of shelving in the archive of the city’s historic public library. Eight staff and three vehicles from Andrew Porter Limited, headquartered on Huyton Road, Adlington, spent four weeks carefully moving the archive from the Grade I listed building on College Green to its new home at the nearby B Bond warehouse.

The relocation presented several challenges, but the firm’s experience in library relocations ensured that the project ran smoothly. In 2013 Andrew Porter Limited carried out the relocation of more than 40,000 lineal metres of books during the £50 million refurbishment of Liverpool’s Central Library. Managing director, Tim Aspey, said that experience was crucial to the effective planning of the Bristol archive move.

“There were many restrictions and considerations that we had to factor in when planning the Bristol Central Library relocation and our team made what could have been a very complex move run efficiently, thanks to their considerable experience in library removals,” he said.

“The destination was on a fifth floor which can only be accessed via a lift. However, the building was shared with the Create environment centre, which welcomes visits from school classes several times a day. We had to ensure that the move did not disturb the safe entry and exit of the school parties.

“There is also a school next to the Central Library building and we liaised closely with staff to avoid the loading of vehicles at times when children were arriving and leaving, or moving between buildings at break times.”

An additional complication concerned the type of removals vehicles used. At the destination, a side opening wagon was required, but this would not have been able to fit under a low access bridge at the library site. This meant that alternative, and less convenient, loading points had to be found and tested.

“Every job is unique and this particular project took 12 months of planning and consultation to ensure the very best outcome for our client, their neighbours and the community,” Tim added.

Kate Murray, Bristol City Council’s head of libraries, said: “This was a challenging logistical situation. Bristol’s Central Library is an old building with difficult access to the store rooms and there was a large amount of stock that had to be moved. Andrew Porter Limited were able to do this job in an efficient and professional manner.”

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