The Portico welcomes Mayor Andy Burnham as historic expansion plans move forward

At the end of 2025, The Portico shared major news that its hopes of a historic three-floor expansion of the building had moved a step forward as Manchester City Council granted planning permission for the ambitious project.

Developed through Portico Reunited — the Library’s capital and creative transformation project — the proposed plans seek to open all floors of the Grade II* building for the first time in more than a century, restoring its Mosley Street entrance, and creating a fully accessible, sustainable home for stories, reading, and learning.

Last Wednesday, The Portico welcomed Mayor Andy Burnham, alongside civic leaders, funders, trustees, patrons and placemakers for a focused conversation about next steps and what it will take to secure the historic landmark for the next century.

 

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Speaking about the visit, Thom Keep, Librarian / CEO of the Portico Library, said: “What was most encouraging wasn’t simply the visit — it was the shared belief in the room: that Manchester needs ambitious civic spaces for reading, learning and debate, and that The Portico can be one of them again, fully reopened and accessible for the first time in over a century.”

Looking ahead, The Portico must now raise £3m by June to turn the project into a reality. Should the team hit their funding target, construction is expected to start in 2028, following fundraising and design stages. The building will close temporarily during works and reopen around Autumn 2029.

You can read more about The Portico’s Reunited project here.