Bishop’s Move ensure University of Surrey Library Users Not Disturbed

As a long-standing supplier to the University of Surrey, Bishop’s Move became involved in the project of installing updated shelving within the existing library.

The University had been given the opportunity to refurbish areas of the older, original buildings to provide more modern and upgraded study spaces with new shelving for the collections. This also allowed for updating group study areas and increasing the access of power and quality audio visual equipment.

The initial phase, starting in 2016, was part of a multi-phased project spanning several years, which required the sequential packing and relocating of 500 linear metres of material off-site to Bishop’s Move local storage facilities. Once completed the old, grey, narrow shelving was removed and new modern white shelving was installed over the summer break. On completion of the installation of the shelving, our library specialist teams completed the redelivery and unpacking of the collections.   

In 2017, the scope of the move was significantly increased and now required the clearance of a much larger area with minimum disruption. Bishop’s Move provided an on-site Move Manager to liaise with the University Librarians to formulate a programme and manage the teams daily. 

Over a period of two weeks in June, Bishop’s Move packed and relocated 2.5km of materials off site. A further 3.4km of materials were simultaneously relocated on site and a further porterage team provided support relocating furniture to other areas within the library building. 

Following a twelve-week building programme, Bishop’s Move completed the return relocation of the 2.5km of materials from their warehouse and relocated a further 3.4km of materials internally. The return move overlapped the continued installation of the new shelving which required detailed planning and guaranteed delivery of the movement and unpacking of up to 625 linear metres of material per day to avoid any delays to other contractors. 

Stuart Philp, Bishop’s Move’s Business Relocation Director comments, “As with all our moves this challenging project was delivered on time and on budget through applying our philosophy of ‘good planning and communication ensures the move itself is the easy part’”. 

Feel free to get in touch with our Business Relocation team to discuss your relocation requirements.