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
Salford man jailed after pointing loaded gun at police and members of public while on the run
Emily Sergeant
A man from Salford has been jailed for more than a decade after he pointed a loaded gun at police officers and members of the public while he was on the run.
Jay Conway, of Leicester Walk in Salford, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (6 March 2026) where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and assault of an emergency worker, as well as also pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.
His sentencing comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Salford Challenger team were patrolling Albert Park in plain clothes on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
They spotted a man riding an e-bike and wearing a balaclava, and attempted to detain him there and then, but despite their best efforts, he fled the area, brandishing what officers believed to be a pistol in the process.
The suspect – which was later identified as Conway – stole a bike and cycled on to Great Clowes Street, where a neighbourhood officer heading towards the incident attempted to detain him but he resisted. The officer deployed his Taser but he drew the pistol for a second time, pointing it at police and also at a member of the public.
Conway then dropped the firearm – which police later confirmed as a viable, loaded pistol – and a mobile phone, and fled for a second time.
Thanks to a ‘fast-paced and thorough’ investigation by specialist GMP teams, involving forensic analysis of the phone and CCTV which identified Conway as the suspect, he was arrested by armed officers the following day in Whalley Range.
“Nobody – a police officer or a member of the public – should be confronted by a gun,” said Detective Superintendent Simon Moyles, following Conway’s sentencing.
“These were frightening incidents and Conway is clearly a dangerous individual who is rightly serving a prison sentence. We need to commend and recognise our officers who showed immense bravery in trying to stop Conway.
“Guns have no place on our streets and the work we are doing in Salford, and across Greater Manchester, in relation to firearms incidents continues.
“If you know anyone who is using, or possesses, an illegal firearm, we urge you to get in touch with us as, for each firearm we recover, that’s potentially a life saved.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Nearly 300 new ‘social rent’ homes given go-ahead as part of £500m Wythenshawe regeneration
Emily Sergeant
Nearly 300 new homes are set to be built in Wythenshawe as part of a wider £500 million regeneration scheme.
In case you didn’t know, Placemaker Muse and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group submitted three separate planning applications for 422 new affordable homes back in December 2025, following a public consultation with locals.
Now, works on two of the three new communities can begin, with the third expected to get the green light in the coming weeks.
Brotherton House – which is a former office building – will be transformed into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with 109 homes for people in later life and those living with dementia, while C2 The Birtles, also currently retail and office space, is situated next to the former market square and will be replaced with 81 one and two-bedroom apartments.
Alpha House, which is currently awaiting a planning decision, has now been demolished and will be rebuilt to provide 125 one and two-bedroom apartments – including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.
According to developers, all the homes will be ‘affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient’, with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote health and wellbeing.
The approval given to build these new homes forms part of the wider ‘ambitious’ plan to transform Wythenshawe over the next decade.
The wider masterplan for Wythenshawe will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, which will complement the wider investment currently underway in Civic – supported by £20 million of Government funding, and £11.9 million from Manchester City Council.
Nearly 300 new homes have been given the go-ahead as part of a £500m Wythenshawe regeneration scheme / Credit: Muse (Supplied)
New community facilities in the town include the Culture Hub – which is now underway – the Food Hall, currently awaiting a planning decision, new workspaces, and improvements to the outdoor spaces in Civic, all designed to create a ‘greener and more welcoming’ town centre.
“For us, this is about delivering the truly affordable homes local people have told us they need,” explained Andrea Lowman, who is the Executive Director of Development at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
“Every one of these homes will be for social rent, giving more families, older residents and people with additional needs the opportunity to live well in the heart of Wythenshawe.
“As the local social housing provider, we are focused not just on building new homes but on creating sustainable communities and making sure this investment strengthens the town centre for existing and future residents alike.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th February 2024 
