University at the double at MCR Awards

The University of Manchester is celebrating a double success after the glittering MCR Awards held at the Hilton Hotel in the city centre.

The John Rylands Library won Best Iconic Building while the Manchester Academy won Best Entertainment Venue.

The awards recognise excellence across Manchester's retail, leisure, property, sport, music and media fields, and are voted for by the people of Manchester.

The John Rylands Library recently reopened after a £17m transformation, but has long been regarded as the city's most beautiful building.

Head of Special Collections Stella Butler said: "We are delighted that the John Rylands Library has received such a wonderful accolade as Manchester's Best Iconic Building particularly as we were up against buildings such as the Beetham Tower and Urbis. The people of Manchester voted for the Library and we hope many more people will visit as a result."

The library was built in the 1890s by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband John, Manchester's most successful cotton magnate. New exhibition areas display some of the Library's famous collections, including the St John Fragment, the oldest known surviving piece of the New Testament, dating from around 125AD.

General Manager of the Academy Ali McGregor said: "We are delighted to have been recognised as the Best Venue in these awards, especially when we were up against some big names such as the MEN Arena, the Apollo and the Royal Exchange. We believe we can only now go from strength to strength because the main Academy venue is currently undergoing a £3.5m refurbishment programme, due for completion early next year."
 
The Academy is part of the Students' Union at The University of Manchester. In 2008, the venue will boast increased capacity, a purpose built disabled viewing platform, fully accessible dressing rooms, new front of house and stage areas, enhanced bar and toilet provision and a feature glass tower entrance on Oxford Road.

For further information contact:
Jon Keighren, Media Relations Manager: 0161 275 8384