Listed library to get £1m revamp

Newcastle's Lit & Phil has a collection of 200,000 books

A 200-year-old independent library hosting rare books, artefacts and music collections is due to get a revamp after securing £1m.

The Literary & Philosophical Society of Newcastle needs improvements to secure the future of its Grade II* listed building.

Mary Durkin, chairman of the Lit & Phil, said: "For nearly 200 years it has been at the heart of cultural life on Tyneside.

"Our intention is that it should continue in that role for many more years."

The Westgate Road library opened in 1825 and hosted events with notable figures such as Oscar Wild and EM Forster.

The organisation said energy costs to run the building have soared in recent years and efficiency improvements are needed.

It has worked with Newcastle-based Xsite Architecture to identify necessary work, which includes improving disabled access.

Funding comes from a donation from The Barbour Foundation - the charitable arm of the brand Barbour, based in South Shields.

The Lit & Phil became a forum for sharing ideas in the early years of the Industrial Revolution

The Literary & Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, which was founded in 1793, created the library as a forum for sharing ideas in the early years of the Industrial Revolution.

It was designed on neo-classical lines by Northumbrian George Green.

Ms Durkin said: "In the 1820s the Society was at the cutting edge in terms of debate about energy and other matters.

"Our aim, 200 years later, is to have a building that embraces and exemplifies radical thinking and generates ideas in a new age."