Manchester’s Portico Library could become £11m cultural hub
The Grade two star-listed building off Mosley Street could be returned to its originally intended use, with an expanded library, exhibition hall, and events space all proposed for the 219-year-old venue, which currently hosts a restaurant.
Funded by the £5m from National Lottery Heritage Fund under the ‘Reuniting The Portico’ project, the plan seeks to change the use of the 5,100 sq ft building from a bar restaurant, called The Bank, and open an accessible, dynamic arts, learning, and heritage hub.
Purcell Architecture’s £11m plans indicate that a ground level café and events space would be installed to support revenue generation for the Portico Library.
A Northern bookshop is set to provide titles from emerging regional writers and independent publishers.
The first floor, which currently hosts the library itself, would become a dedicated reading and study room, alongside book storage.
Storage, a kitchen space, toilets, and staff office facilities would be provided in the basement.
In addition, accessibility across the library would be improved with lifts and entrance redesigns.
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Dr Thom Keep, librarian and chief executive of the Portico Library, said: “Portico Reunited is about more than restoring a building.
“It’s about opening doors – to stories, ideas, heritage, and communities across Greater Manchester.
“These plans secure the Portico’s future, unlocking the power of heritage to inspire Manchester’s visitors and residents to explore, share, and celebrate their stories and the city’s literary and global heritage.”
Should the revamp be approved by Manchester City Council, it is expected to take around 18 months to complete.
The Portico Library dates back to 1806. Credit: Joe Fenn
The Portico Library was founded in 1806 by a group of businessmen aiming to promote learning in the evolving city.
In 1920, it was part-leased to the Bank of Athens, which promoted an internal redesign. Since the early 2000s, it has hosted a bar and restaurant known as The Bank, which continues to occupy the ground floor.
The library is currently located only on the first floor, but this application seeks to change that.
On the project team is North Star, Chambers, Max Fordham, Price and Myers, Maze Fire Consulting, Appleyard and Trew, and iM2.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 143816/LO/2025 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
