Manchester Council leader steps down after 25 years

Cultural organisations across Manchester have paid tribute to SIR RICHARD LEESE, who is stepping down as City Council leader after 25 years.

During Leese’s tenure, the city reopened Manchester Art Gallery and People’s History Museum, launched Manchester International Festival (MIF) and hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

A £50m investment into Manchester Central Library was completed in 2014, with a £15m transformation of art gallery The Whitworth finished a year later to coincide with the opening of contemporary art centre HOME.

£186m cultural venue The Factory will open next year.

Manchester became a UNESCO City of Literature in 2017 and joined the International Music Cities Network in 2019. Prior to the pandemic, its cultural output was estimated to be worth £292m.

MIF Artistic Director John McGraith called Leese “one of the most ardent advocates in the country for the power of culture as a public group”.

“He has fostered such a collaborative culture across the city, with a genuine community spirit,” added Manchester Art Gallery director Allstair Hudson.

Leese, who was first elected to the council in 1984, will be succeeded by BEV CRAIG.