A number of libraries that relied on the services of Carillion have assured their users that it is “business as usual”.

Harrow Council confirmed that libraries across the borough remain open and in full operation, despite the collapse of the facility management giant.

In a statement, it said: “We are engaging Carillion, working alongside our neighbouring local authorities, and we are confident we will ensure continuity in Harrow’s library services for staff and residents.”

It added that the refurbishment of Kenton Library is unaffected and it is still scheduled to reopen on March 1.

Before news broke of Carillion’s liquidation, the council had intended to renew its services for another five years, starting in September 2018.

Offering its recommendations to cabinet, it noted how it would continue to “provide a cost effective library management service that is performing satisfactorily”.

There has widespread been concern that Carillion’s fate will have a hugely negative impact on thousands of people and services, given its far-reaching influence.

Accountancy firm PwC, which is overseeing the liquidation, said in a statement: “Unless told otherwise, all employees, agents and sub-contractors are being asked to continue to work as normal and they will be paid for the work they do during the liquidations.”

This concept was hammered home by Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), who said those who relied on Carillion must receive what they are entitled to.

He said: “It is vital that Carillion’s small business suppliers are paid what they are owed, or some of those firms could themselves be put in jeopardy, putting even more jobs at risk besides those of Carillion’s own employees.

“These unpaid bills may well go back several months. I wrote to Carillion back in July last year to express concern after hearing from FSB members that the company was making small suppliers wait 120 days to be paid.

“Sadly these kind of poor payment practices are all too common among some big corporates.

“Perhaps if they weren’t it would be easier to spot the warning signs of a huge company in financial trouble.”

He added that this case serves as a reminder that, in his view, public procurement must be much more small business friendly.

“When the dust settles on this sorry saga, there is also a wider lesson to learn about the concentration of public contracts in the hands of a small number of very big businesses,” he said.

“It [should be] easier for small firms to navigate the system and the Government should prioritise meeting its target of at least one third of taxpayer-funded contracts going to smaller firms.”