Ambitious plans for the transformation of Chorlton’s historic library have been unveiled, and they certainly do look fancy.
In case you hadn’t already heard, Chorlton Library – which first opened all the way back in 1914, and is one of 24 public libraries in Manchester managed by Manchester City Council – is about to undergo a “major refurbishment” that will see the stunning Grade II-listed building lovingly upgraded, before it reopens to the public once again next year.
Work to the well-known Manchester Road site will “enhance the existing structure” of the building, according to the Council.
Improvements to the exterior stonework of the building and its windows, as well as the renewal of its electrical and mechanical systems, are just some of the tasks at hand unveiled as part of the Library’s transformation plans.
Additional meeting rooms within the existing structure will also be created as part of the refurbishment, and this means that, when the building reopens in 2025, the Library will benefit from special ‘Open+ technology’ to allow it to be “open and accessible” to the local community for more hours every day.
ADVERTISEMENT
But by far the stand-out feature of the transformation plans has to be the intention to unveil the building’s fabulous dome, which has been hidden for countless years.
All work will go towards ensuring the building contributes to lower carbon emissions, and will ultimately help the Council meet its target of becoming zero carbon by 2038.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ambitious plans for a ‘major refurbishment’ of Chorlton’s historic library have been unveiled / Credit: Manchester City Council | Polina Zimmerman (via Flickr)
Councillor John Hacking, who is the Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, called Chorlton Library a “unique building” and “a great asset to the city” – but promised the revamp will be “worth the wait” once it reopens.
“It’s a much-loved library, and continues to be at the heart of the Chorlton community as it has been for the last 100 years, [but] this work will bring it right up-to-date and ensure it continues to be better equipped to serve the local community and fit for purpose for the next 100 years and more, as well as meeting our sustainability plans and carbon neutral targets.
ADVERTISEMENT
“As one of the busiest libraries in the city, I know it will be missed but I can assure you that the revamp will be worth the wait.”
Chorlton Library closes its doors for two-weeks next Sunday 24 March, and it will then reopen with a reduced offering from the extension at the back of the building from Monday 8 April.
Services in the reduced library offer will include free internet and Wi-Fi, a small selection of stock, and a reservation pick-up point – with these reservations able to be made for free on the Manchester libraries catalogue online.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
You can read the full Altrincham feature here, and see where else The Sunday Times included in its list for 2026 here.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
11 arrested and £70k cash seized during early-morning police drug raids across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested, as well as a large amount of cash and drugs seized, during early-morning raids across Greater Manchester.
The raids took place during the early hours of the morning yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2026), where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) successfully executed eight warrants simultaneously across Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale to tackle a ‘suspected criminal network’ involved in the distribution of class A drugs and firearms.
Officers from Tameside Programme Challenger team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and GMP’s Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) were deployed to each of the addresses.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and preparation, a total of 11 people – each aged between 24 and 77 – were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences during the raids.
Eight men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, being part of an organised crime group, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and possession of an offensive weapon.
They all remain in police custody for questioning at this time, GMP confirmed.
During searches of the addresses, various class A, B and C drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and nitrous oxide – were seized, while further recoveries of £70,000 in cash, a zombie knife, a BB gun, and four vehicles were also made at the same time.
Speaking following the success of the raids yesterday, Chief Superintendent Shan Nasim, District Commander for Tameside, said: “[This] operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our district and Greater Manchester.
“We have 11 people in custody being questioned by our investigation teams in relation to an organised crime group (OCG) that have been causing widespread harm across our communities.
“This action caused significant disruption of an organised crime group (OCG) and has prevented drugs and weapons from reaching the streets, as well as the associated harms that come hand in hand with organised crime.
“Organised criminals exploit vulnerable people and blight our communities; we will take robust action to catch offenders, keep our communities safe, and protect vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
