The Portico Library & Gallery
 

About us


The Library still stands in it’s original spot and is a Grade II* Listed building.

Grade II* building are particularly important buildings of more than special interest.












Although the Portico still owns the whole building the ground floor was leased off in 1921 to the Bank of Athens (hence the name ‘The Bank’ being given to the pub that now occupies that part of the building!).














Some Famous Members

  1. -John Dalton

  2. -William Gaskell

  3. -Sir Robert Peel

  4. -Sir Cyril Smith

  5. -Eric Cantona

  6. -and many, many more!


2011 Committee Members

Edward Thorp, Chairman

Lynne Allan, Vice Chair

Paul Teather, Treasurer

Alison Berry, Hon. Secretary

Philip Hulme

Vivienne Long-Ferguson

Walter Nicholls

Aidan Roe

Mike Townsend

Mark Watson


This Committee has the help and support from two other sub groups, the Book Committee (Chaired by Lynne Allan) and the Marketing & Development Group (led by Vivs Long-Ferguson).

 

There was no shortage of libraries in Manchester at the end of the 18th century... so what made The Portico stand out and survive over 200 years?


The origins of the Portico go back some 10 years before it was finally established. Spurred on by a visit to Liverpool Athenaeum, which had recently opened as a library and newsroom, surgeon Michael Ward and his friend Robert Robinson, lamented the fact Manchester lacked such an establishment and vowed to bring the same to Manchester.


Leading exponent of the classical revival and architect of the earlier Liverpool Lyceum, Thomas Harrison was chosen to design the building. Builders David Bellhouse and Sons realised Harrison’s plans and delivered the resulting building for £6,881 5s. 3d.


It was an immediate success, combining as it did newsroom, library and club, as members could buy light refreshments on the premises as they still can today.


Our first Committee was made up of the following 20 members:


  1. Dr John Ferriar, Chairman                       

  2. Dr Peter Mark Roget, Secretary

  3. Nathaniel Heywood, Treasurer

  4. John Atkinson

  5. Dr Samuel Argent Bardsley

  6. Charles Frederick Brandt

  7. Peter Crompton

  8. George Duckworth

  9. John Drinkwater

  10. Peter Ewart

  11. William Henry

  12. Dr Edward Holme

  13. Dr John Hull

  14. Benjamin Arthur Heywood

  15. John Jackson

  16. George Augustus Lee

  17. George Philips

  18. John Railton

  19. William Starkie

  20. James Touchet


*Information on our present Committee can be found on the right.


The current Gallery area is a relatively new addition, with construction of the floor and formal opening ceremony being held in 1987. The first exhibition to be shown was ‘Contemporary Book Arts’, covering the work of illustrators, designers and bookbinders. It was very well received.


The Portico still hosts a thriving calendar of exhibitions and events in the Gallery. Visit the Portico Prize for Literature and Portico Young Writers’ Prize for more details on these wonderful, regular events.


Our exhibitions change every month and are a mix of commercial art and special shows that highlight elements of our Collection. For more details about what’s on show, please visit our Calendar.

 

Reflecting the past, inspiring the future

Patrons of the Portico Library

In 2011 we welcomed our new Patrons.

  1. • Tristram Hunt MP

  2. • Stuart Maconie (pictured above with the 2010 Young Prize winners)

  3. • Dame Jenni Murray

  4. • Sir John Zochonis