Historic library's funding 'will expand future'

Chairman Mary Durkin, pictured with society president, the broadcaster Alexander Armstrong, said she was "delighted" with the grant

A 200-year-old independent library has been awarded funding, which trustees hope will stop it from becoming "stagnant".

The Lit & Phil, in Newcastle, which opened in 1825, houses a collection of more than 200,000 books and artefacts.

It has received development funding of just over £274,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help broaden its audience.

Chairman Mary Durkin said it meant the Grade II* listed building, on Westgate Road, would now not be in danger of deteriorating, and the library had a history that "northerners should be proud of and other people must recognise".

The building is steeped in history and has hosted events with notable figures such as Oscar Wild and EM Forster.

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.

The library has a large concave ceiling

Ms Durkin said the initial development grant would help to expand its outreach programme to communities and schools, as well as improve its digital presence.

Last year, the Barbour Foundation - the charitable arm of the South Shields-based fashion brand Barbour - provided £1m of funding to the society, which will see a lift installed in 2026 and accessible toilets built this summer.

It is the largest independent library outside of London

The funding also means the society trustees can progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery capital grant of £4.5m at a later date.

"The building needs work, its 200 years old and it would deteriorate, there's no question about that and our reach would narrow without funding, and there would be a fear we possibly would stay a bit stagnant."

Trustees said if a larger grant was awarded, it would allow for major renovation works to take place, including improving access and the reconfiguration of the library's ground floor.

The society said a renovated Lit & Phil could open in November 2028, if funding was approved.