The green light has been given for an impressive £7.6 million transformation of Manchester’s iconic John Rylands Library.
The Grade I-listed Rylands is, undoubtedly, one of the finest neo-Gothic buildings in Europe.
The building on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre has survived two World Wars, the disappearance of the Lancashire cotton industry, post-war modern planning, and the changing fortunes of Manchester to today house several internationally-important collections of rare books, manuscripts, and archives.
And now, the ‘next chapter’ in its storied history is about to be written, as the legendary structure is set to begin a new life as part of a £7.6 million project.
That’s because Manchester City Council has approved plans to transform the University of Manchester-owned building in a bid to “enhance” its contribution to research, student experience, and public engagement in the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
The green light has been given for £7.6m transformation of Manchester’s iconic John Rylands Library / Credit: UoM
The £7.6m project, which is actually named ‘John Rylands Next Chapter’, forms a part of the Library’s wider Imagine2030 vision.
The proposed designs, which have been drawn up by conservation architects at Donald Insall Associates, utilises a so-called ‘single design language’ that speaks to the building’s evolution through the 1890s, 1920s, 1960s, and 2000s, and includes an updated exhibition space, an advanced imaging laboratory, a flexible event space, and a refreshed main entrance.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to developers, the consented transformation scheme aims to “sensitively protect” and “revolve” the beloved building.
The Grade I-listed Rylands is one of the finest neo-Gothic buildings in Europe / Credit: Michael D Beckwith (via Flickr)
The University of Manchester says that Rylands, both the Research Institute and Library, is expected to remain open throughout the project of works.
However some areas will need to close “as required” while their redevelopment takes place.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Rylands is one of the great libraries of the world,” commented Professor Christopher Pressler, who is the John Rylands University Librarian and Director of the University of Manchester Library, as the transformation plans were given the green light this week.
The Library’s ‘Next Chapter’ project will deliver world-class facilities / Credit: UoM
“The ‘Next Chapter’ project will deliver world-class facilities for research and engagement, of a quality to match our extraordinary collections and building, and will equip the Rylands to address the many challenges and opportunities of the mid-21st century.
“It will also reinforce the Rylands’ importance to the University, the city of Manchester, and world heritage.”
Timelines for the £7.6m transformation are expected to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Donald Insall Associates
News
A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of one local town could soon be able to hop on a train out of there.
That’s because a planning application for a brand-new £32 million station in Golborne – which would connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years – has been submitted to Wigan Council, meaning connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.
In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, and Leigh is the biggest town in England without a rail station, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.
The milestone aims to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people in the town and the wider Wigan borough.
NEWS: Greater Manchester on track with plan for first new rail station in over 20 years. 🚉
✅ 90%+ public consultation support for Golborne station in Wigan ✅ Planning application in to @WiganCouncil ✅ Local area improvements and walking and cycling links
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which “significant investment” has been put into.
The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.
The submitting of the proposals comes after nearly 3,000 people had their say on the station earlier this year, with more than 90% of respondents supporting the plans.
A CGI of what the proposed new Golborne station could look like, if plans are approved / Credit: TfGM
If the plans are approved by Wigan Council, work on the site should begin in 2026, according to TfGM, with the new station scheduled to open in 2027.
Mayor Andy Burnham called the submitting of the proposals a “transformative step” for the region.
“It has taken a huge effort to get us to this point,” he explained. “But we have finally reached a major milestone on the journey to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years.
“The proposal is based on extremely sound evidence and huge progress has been made with a planning application being submitted and overwhelming support from local residents.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field
Daisy Jackson
Police have issued a statement after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Salford yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Ashtons Field after a dog walker made the shocking discovery.
The baby – who is being called Baby A – has not yet been identified and police are now investigating ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood held a press conference near the scene on Ravenscraig Road last night.
He said: “Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.
“We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.
“At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died. We are now calling this baby, Baby A.
“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.
GMP press conference after remains of baby found in Salford
“We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here. The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.
“Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th February 2024 
