The 200-year-old library in England received a national lottery grant to fund a multi-million dollar project.
In the middle of Manchester, there is a hidden gem for readers. The Portico Library is located on the top floor of a Greek revival building that’s home to The Bank, a traditional public house. Though the library is lesser-known, the archives span centuries and house some of Manchester’s rich history.
In 2023, the Portico received a lottery grant of £453,964 from England’s National Lottery Heritage Fund. The grant will provide the basis for the library’s first renovation in over 100 years and kickstart a £7 million restoration project.
The Historical Portico
In 1806, the Portico Library was founded by 400 members, including some of society’s most famous authors, scientists, and even future Prime Ministers of England. The library’s founding Secretary was Peter Mark Roget, who wrote the first English thesaurus. The building, designed by Thomas Harrison, was also Manchester’s first Greek revival building.
Current Operations
Today, the Portico prides itself on its diverse approach to history and prized archival collection, which is over 450 years old. The library houses over 25,000 books and is open to the public. Each year the library presents a series of awards through the Portico Prize. These are awarded to authors in Northern England with some awards specifically highlighting young voices.
The Renovation
With 25,000 volumes already being housed and their collection growing every day, the library is in desperate need of more space. The grant money awarded to the Portico has opened the door for an expansive renovation project. The renovation plans aim to reunite all three floors of the building into a single library space for the first time in over 100 years.
The redesign will closely resemble the original floor plans of the 1800s, with necessary modern updates. The renovations are expected to start in the fall of this year, with continual fundraising and improvements over the next few years. Additional expansion plans include upgrades to the library’s cafe and the creation of bookselling spaces on the basement floor.
The Future of the Library
John Carpenter, the chair of the Portico Library, has high hopes for the improvement of the library. In an interview with The Guardian, Carpenter discusses the potential growth the renovations and grant money will provide to the library and the city of Manchester at large. “[The project] fulfills 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.”
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Carley Bishop
Carley is an editorial lifestyle writer and aspiring novelist. She is based in North Carolina where she resides with her husband and their puppy, Daisy, and is a proud graduate of University of South Carolina. Carley is a lifelong bookworm who enjoys reading everything from the classics to modern romances. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling, getting outside and trying new recipes at home.
