Refurbishment of the Library Café
A comprehensive remodel and refurbishment of the café in the JB Morrell Library.
Taking place over summer 2025, this will improve circulation, usability, and space efficiency, ultimately improving the experience for our students, staff, and visitors.
Following a survey of the Library Café’s service and offering, the Eat, Drink and Shop team is committed to making changes that will enhance the experience for staff and students when visiting the Library Café. We’ve listened to feedback and are committed to delivering a space that’s not only more functional but genuinely enjoyable to spend time in.
Jamie Harrison, Head of Hospitality and Catering
Key refurbishment works include:
- Expanded Library Café: This project will explore options to expand the café and better integrate it with the wider library space. Our aim is to enhance seating capacity and service efficiency, thereby creating a more inviting and functional social space for both students and staff.
- Improved Flow and Reduced Congestion: The current placement of security barriers frequently leads to congestion due to high footfall. Works will involve relocating or reconfiguring these barriers to improve pedestrian flow, minimise bottlenecks, and enhance the overall user experience during peak times.
- 24/7 Kitchenette Facility: Recognising the extensive use of the library outside of café operating hours, and the resulting lack of facilities for making drinks or preparing food, a dedicated 24/7 kitchenette will be installed. This will include a bean to cup coffee machine, offering barista standard coffee, smart vending which will have fresh food offering as well as traditional vending offering soft drinks and confectionery.
How will this affect me?
The Library café will be closed from 23 June 2025 over the summer period, with completion due in autumn 2025. The Eat, Drink and Shop webpages show the opening times of alternative facilities.
There will be some noise disruption throughout, which our contractors will endeavour to minimise.
Image gallery
These images are architect mock-ups and not the final version of the Library Café. They may be updated to reflect the most current plans.
