The Client.
Tamworth Castle is situated in the centre of historic Tamworth. It boasts a spectacular late medieval Great Hall, as well as grand Tudor Chambers and Victorian suite of receptions rooms. Over the centuries six families have owned this beautiful structure. Since Anglo Saxon times, Tamworth has seen various castles structures that served as a home to the Mercian Kings and wealthy families. At the confluence of the Rivers Anker and Tame the current structure dates from the 12th Century and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
It is one of the best preserved Norman motte and bailey castles in Great Britain. A 12th century gate tower and later residential accommodation span the centuries of additions whilst the oak timbered Great Hall – the largest of its type in the UK - dates back over 600 years. The castle was purchased by the Tamworth Corporation over a hundred years ago, and is currently the premier attraction of the area.
The Challenge.
With no official purpose built museum to handle the collection, Tamworth Castle has long relied on several offsite stock rooms stores (situated around the town – including behind the local pub!). Many paintings and other objects of significance were relegated to under stair cupboards and were in danger of damage from the elements poor conditions.
After many years of applications, funding was granted to give the artefacts the storage solution that they deserve – an off site storage facility based five minute’s drive from the castle. The challenge was to find and install a
solution that matched the various types of item in the collection, from huge terracotta statues, metal and wooden items including two funeral carriages and cinema projectors. A home for a series of paintings would also be needed within the two storey building.
The Solution.
metalraxstorage was selected as the preferred supplier based on a combination of factors. Sarah Williams – the Collections Officer takes up the story. “We chose metalraxstorage as they provided us with a competitive quotation and their representative spent time with me to understand the requirements that we had.” This solution included a variety of products including pallet racking for the heavier statues and associated sculptures, Widespan for the majority of the collection plus several runs of two sided picture racking. Sarah concluded “I would recommend metalraxstorage as they are the ideal supplier to museums and really understand the requirements of the storage process” .
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