Manchester’s Portico Library kicks off regeneration project with huge £454k National Lottery grant

One of Manchester’s most treasured historic institutions, the Portico Library, has been awarded a huge National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to kick start its ambitious development plans. 

The 217-year old library has been handed an initial grant of £453,964 to secure its future as an accessible and sustainable space for arts, books, food, learning and history. The project is called ‘Reuniting the Portico Library, Uniting People.’

As it stands, the Portico Library today is a subscription library and newsroom, home to over 250,000 books spanning 450 years. It is open to the public and regularly holds free exhibitions and workshops. There is also a cafe which is open Monday to Friday. 

What are the plans?

The development plans, which are set to begin immediately, are aimed at reuniting all three floors of the Grade II listed building for the first time in 100 years.

Local communities will be invited to help transform the ground floor and basement into a space for dining, exhibitions, educational activities, a collections care lab, meeting and events spaces, and a ‘Northern Bookshop.’ 

The first floor will be dedicated to showcasing the building’s heritage, including the unique book collection, manuscript archive and architecture. There will also be consultations and work to ensure that the building is fully accessible, including technical access requirements, such as a lift. 

John Carpenter, the Portico Library’s chair, said: “The news that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting the Portico Library's bold scheme to open up and share its extraordinary heritage and collection, to Manchester residents and visitors, is a major cultural signal to Manchester, the North and the UK.

“This visionary project, years in the making, fulfils our mission of working with the many people in Manchester to explore, share, and celebrate their diverse stories and the city's literary and global heritage. Embracing creativity, collaboration and inclusivity, the project will unlock the Library's past to plan for the future. We would like to thank the National Lottery players who have made it possible to realise our vision.”

Dave Moutrey, director & chief executive at HOME and director of culture for Manchester City Council, said: “2023 has been an exceptional year for culture in the city: the reopening of the Manchester Museum, the launch of Aviva Studios – the permanent home for Manchester International Festival, and now news of substantial funding to transform the historic Portico Library. A bright and exciting future lies ahead for our ever-expanding culture corridor.”

History of the Portico

The Portico Library was founded in the 19th century by a group of doctors, lawyers, merchants, factory owners and other professionals who benefitted from Manchester’s leading role in the industrial revolution and exploitative cotton trade. Their aim was to support the rapid expansion of literacy. The building itself was designed in the style of classic Greek temples. 

Early Portico members were responsible for some of the city’s most notable achievements of the time, including campaigns for better working conditions in factories, the creation of the Manchester Guardian newspaper following the Peterloo massacre, as well as other cultural, scientific and political milestones. Famous members of the library range from 19th century author Elizabeth Gaskell to footballer Eric Cantona. 

How to get involved

The Portico Library is open five days a week to the public. There will be a series of fundraising events to help support the regeneration plans, but you can also support by making donations, becoming a member or volunteering. You can find more details on how to get involved by visiting the Portico Library website.