CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the proposed redevelopment of Manchester’s Library Walk will host a celebration of the unusual walkway on Tuesday 11 September.
The purpose of our group is to celebrate and cherish this very special public space which belongs to everyone in Manchester
The public gathering will celebrate what the Friends of Library Walk consider one of Manchester’s most distinctive and best-loved urban spaces, and draw attention to what they feel are harmful plans for its development, in the run-up to a planning decision by Manchester City Council in October.
Library Walk is a pedestrian walkway between St. Peter’s Square and Mount Street in Manchester city centre. Its distinctive curved shape is formed by the interlocking of Grade-II* listed buildings Manchester Central Library and the Town Hall Extension, both created by the celebrated architect E. Vincent Harris in the 1930s.
1200 people have already signed a petition to protest plans drawn up by Beetham Tower architect Ian Simpson, as part of the refurbishment of the two buildings and St Peter’s Square, which would gate and glaze the passage and make it inaccessible for eight hours each night.
Raising the pavement, ruining building lines and blocking Library Walk
Confidential dissected the proposed scheme earlier this year and found it absurd. You can read that article here.
The celebration event is open to all and will begin at 6pm in Piccadilly Gardens, from where a walking procession will cross the city centre via Albert Square to the Peace Gardens.
Musicians will accompany the event, which will also feature talks from experts and local figures who are passionate about the threatened space. Jonathan Schofield, the Manchester Confidential editor, will be speaking during the meeting.
Tom Hiles of the Friends of Library Walk said, “The purpose of our group is to celebrate and cherish this very special public space which belongs to everyone in Manchester, and our campaign has always been a positive one. This event will be a chance for everyone who loves Library Walk to come together and share stories and thoughts about it, and the issues surrounding the council’s proposed plans.
“Holding a celebration will provide the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the strength of people’s passion and concern for Library Walk. We want to see loads of people turn out to send the strongest possible message from the public to the council: that Library Walk is perfect as it is and that the plans are unnecessary and a waste of money.”
More details of the Friends’ campaign can be found at friendsoflibrarywalk.wordpress.com.
Everyone is welcome to join the celebration event, and any musicians, performers or passionate advocates of the walkway who would like to take part are invited to get touch via the website.
Lovely as it is - just improve the lighting
