☕ Café Installation – Plumstead Library, London

Bringing a Heritage Landmark into the 21st Century with a Contemporary Café Fit-Out

🏛️ Project at a Glance

• Client: Royal Borough of Greenwich (via Osborne, Main Contractor)

• Location: Plumstead, London SE18

• Sector: Public Infrastructure | Hospitality | Heritage | Community

• Project Type: Café Fit-Out | Listed Building | Public Sector

📚 A Landmark Redeveloped: The £16 Million Revamp of Plumstead Library

Nestled in South East London, Plumstead Library is a Grade II listed Edwardian building, steeped in over a century of history. As part of a major £16 million regeneration scheme, the Royal Borough of Greenwich commissioned a full refurbishment—led by main contractor Osborne—to modernise the library while preserving its heritage character.

The project included the demolition of a 1930s rear extension to make way for a versatile community space. The brief: to create a facility that meets the diverse needs of 21st-century users, offering spaces for reading, learning, events—and refreshments.

🛠️ Our Role: Design & Installation of a Public-Facing Café

We were appointed to deliver a complete café installation, seamlessly integrating modern hospitality infrastructure into a sensitive, heritage-listed building. Our brief covered everything from the front-facing counter design to the back-of-house kitchen setup, all tailored for durability, efficiency, and visual appeal in a high-footfall public environment.

✅ Key Deliverables

🧾 Bespoke Café Counter Installation

We created a visually clean and highly functional café counter at the heart of the new community hub:

• 🔧 Custom-built stainless steel framework

• 🧼 White Corian worktop – sleek, durable, and hygienic

• 🍲 Victor Manufacturing hot servery plate – ideal for serving hot meals

• 🥤 Refrigerated multideck display – for grab-and-go drinks and snacks

☕ Back Counter & Beverage Station

Behind the counter, we installed a dedicated coffee and drink prep area to streamline service:

• 🔩 Fully fabricated stainless steel back counter

• ❄️ Hoshizaki undercounter refrigeration units for secure cold storage

• ☕ Integrated space for Gaggia commercial coffee machine and other barista appliances

👨‍🍳 Behind-the-Scenes Food Prep & Storage Area

To support daily operations and food safety compliance, we installed:

• 🚿 Stainless steel prep sink for hygiene and food-safe handling

• 🧊 Additional commercial fridges and freezers

• 🍽️ Commercial dishwasher for daily throughput

• 📦 Dry storage shelving for consumables and stock

🎯 The Outcome: A Café That Connects Community, Culture & Convenience

Delivered in mid-January 2020, the new café space now welcomes:

• Library visitors

• Local residents

• Event attendees

• Staff and volunteers

It offers hot and cold menu items in a setting that’s as inviting as it is practical. The design thoughtfully balances modern service requirements with the architectural integrity of a listed building, helping the library serve as a vibrant, inclusive civic space.

“It’s more than a café—it’s part of a broader mission to bring this cultural hub back to life.” 🏛️❤️

🔧 Services Delivered

• ✅ Bespoke café counter design & installation

• ✅ Stainless steel back bar and beverage stations

• ✅ Corian worktop fabrication and installation

• ✅ Hot plate servery and refrigerated multideck units

• ✅ Commercial food prep, storage, and dishwashing equipment

• ✅ Full integration within a listed public-sector building

📞 Got a Heritage or Public Sector Fit-Out Project?

Whether you’re planning a library redevelopment, civic centre café, or community venue kitchen, we bring experience, craftsmanship, and care to every project.

👉 Call us on 01304 249963 to discuss your project with our specialist team.

📸 Scroll Down to See the Transformation!

Explore our project photos below to see how modern café design can work in harmony with listed architecture. ⬇️