Libraries to open on Sundays again after 15 years
BBCSunday opening hours are returning to libraries across Manchester after 15 years.
Eight venues will eventually be open on Sundays, with some starting in September and four more following in January 2027.
Nine more libraries will also benefit from extended opening hours thanks to an improved council budget which sees £1.7m extra cash for libraries.
Councillor Shazia Butt said: "We know what a huge miss they have been, and we know the impact that it had all those years ago when we were forced to cut hours."
Sunday opening was stopped in 2011 due to budget cuts across the UK, with Manchester one of the hardest hit areas at the time.
The following will be open on Sundays from September each week from 1200 - 1600:
- Chorlton Library
- Longsight Library
- Newton Heath Library
- Withington Library
The following will be open on Sundays from January each week from 1200- 1600:
- Manchester Central Library
- Didsbury Library
- Forum Library (Wythenshawe)
- North City Library
On top of this, an additional six libraries will be expanding their hours of operation, starting from 22 June.
The libraries which will be staffed for at least 30 hours a week from 22 June, will be:
- Barlow Moor Library
- Burnage Library
- Fallowfield Library
- Miles Platting Library
- New Moston Library
- Northenden Library
In addition, from September there will also be increased library staffed hours at the libraries housed in the following leisure centres:
- Abraham Moss Library
- Arcadia Library
- Hulme High Street Library
'More investment in communities'
Butt said: "With a much-improved financial settlement for the council we're able to give our residents the services that not only they want, but they deserve.
"Alongside this we're also working to expand opening hours of a further nine locations, ensuring that the services on offer are even more accessible throughout the week."
Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said: "When we announced our recent budget, our largest ever, we said from the get-go we wanted to see more investment in our communities and our services.
"With the resumption of Sunday hours we are delivering on that pledge, giving back to our residents what they have not enjoyed for almost 20 years."
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