The library is around 125 years older than the city’s Central Library(Image: Purcell for The Portico Library via planning documents)

A historic pub is set to close to make way for a ‘new’ library — but it’s one Mancs have enjoyed for centuries.

The Portico Library first opened on Moseley Street in the city centre back in 1806, around 125 years before the Manchester Central Library opened on St Peter’s Square.

Despite being a trailblazer, the Portico ran into financial difficulties in 1920, and leased out its ground and basement floors. The first floor is still the Portico Library’s reading room and exhibition space.

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But there are now plans to ‘reunite’ the grade-II* listed building so it becomes all-library for the first time in more than a century.

“The proposals seek to transform the historic library into an accessible, sustainable, and dynamic arts, learning and heritage hub for all of Manchester’s residents and visitors,” a planning application said.

“In order to achieve this vision, the proposals seek to reunite the ground floor of the building (currently leased out as a pub/restaurant and formerly a bank) with the historic library which is still housed on the upper floors of the building.

(Image: Purcell for The Portico Library via planning documents)

“In doing so, the proposals seek to bring back into use the historic principal entrance and portico.”

While the upstairs reading room is set to remain largely unchanged, including its breath-taking skylight, the ground floor will be converted into a cafe, bookshop, and events space. The basement will become toilets.

Another eye-catching change is a move to wrap the Portico’s middle two outside pillars in ‘book pages’ to ‘break down the austerity of the architecture and encourage diversity and inclusion of audiences.’

(Image: Purcell for The Portico Library via planning documents)

Although the ground floors were initially leased out to a bank until the 1980s, Nicholson’s opened a pub called ‘The Bank’ downstairs in the early 2000s.

But The Bank’s days appear to be numbered with the planning bid. It is not known when the pub would close and building work begin if the proposals receive planning permission.

You can see and comment on the plans until October 13, 2025, online here.