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.
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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.
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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.
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“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
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The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home
Emily Sergeant
The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.
Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.
The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.
Are you struggling to look after a big Council or housing association home? We can help!
We are offering £2,500 to help people move into a smaller more manageable home, freeing up larger homes for families that need them.
It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.
This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.
Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”
Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th February 2024 
