About The Client
The Garstang Museum of Archaeology is a small museum based in Abercromby Square, Liverpool. A part of the University of Liverpool, its collections include a huge range of artifacts from Egypt, Sudan and the Near East.
The Requirement
The Garstang Museum is tucked away within a Georgian era property in the heart of Liverpool. The collections team were experiencing both a lack of space, and essential safe storage for their large collection.
The museum’s collection was stored within the basement area of its building. This was causing issues, with the cellar areas damp, and not built to provide the environmental conditions required to keep their items safe. The space is also divided into small rooms, which, with traditional shelving fitted, were struggling with the the needs of the museum.
In 2025 the museum team looked to renovate these areas and refit the collections storage provision. The aim was to introduce better storage facilities, increase capacity and provide the correct environmental conditions for the different collections.
For the storage elements, to understand their options, they talked to the team at Rackline, the experts in the design and fit out of museum collections stores.
The Solution
Garstang museum boasts a huge and wide-ranging selection of items, from light-weight linen, to ancient ceramics, large stone stelae and even a mummy. The museum required a cross section of solutions that would provide flexible storage, and high capacity, reliable, robust storage for its diverse collection.
After visiting the site and auditing the different rooms, the selection of systems chosen by the team was:
- Cabinets: Built using Rackline Pro-Libero, these were provided with both glass door panels, and lights to allow for the effective display of items. With reconfigurable shelves they provide storage for a mix of different sized items and allow flexibility for the future.
- Monotrak Roller Racking: High strength mobile shelving units, used to maximise space and save up to 70% compared to static systems. These are topped with both Prospan shelving and drawer units.
- Prospan Shelving: Built as incredibly strong and reliable static shelving units, used to hold heavy yet delicate items.
- Plan Chests: Stand-alone drawers that are perfect for storing large artworks, plans or smaller items. At Garstang these are combined with Rackline Pro-Libero to provide storage above these units.
The Result
The result is far more storage in the same footprint, and collection items now kept in much better conditions. The capacity of the small rooms has been maximised, with the use of roller racking systems and strong Prospan static systems. These provide reliable space for even the most bulky and heavy items.
The storage solutions installed by Rackline provide the museum with plenty of capacity for their current collection, with provision for expansion in the future. The systems giving peace of mind that their valuable, and unique historical collection will be kept safe for future generations. Plus of course, the Rackline team are always on hand to support them into the future with servicing, repairs and adaptations as their needs grow.
“The new Rackline storage solutions will allow us to better store the artefacts in our collection and this in turn will allow for easier access. Overall, this makes the collection more accessible, and it makes taking care of the artefacts easier.” (Dr Diana T. Nikolova, Collections Officer)
Get In Touch
If you represent a museum that is looking for innovative ways to store and protect your valuable collection, then talk to our team: 01782 770144, email: info@rackline.co.uk or fill in the form below and one of our team will be in touch.