Manchester Central Library

I visited Manchester's Central Library today, for the first time since the completion of its £50 million refurbishment. Its central Reading Room is a remarkable space, akin to Rome's Pantheon. Many original features have been well-preserved.

I have to say that Liverpool's equivalent project was much more spectacular. I reckon their £55 million refurbishment has delivered a more stylish building which, to my eye soon after the re-opening, was better used, with a Reading Room of far more historic opulence than the Manchester version.