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'Manchester's Taj Mahal' restored to greatness

25/06/2007

Gorton Monastery, sometimes refereed to as the Taj Mahal of Manchester, has now been restored and the keys will be passed over to the new managers today.

Until recently, the monastery was considered to be one of the world's most endangered sites but £6 million and ten years of building work have returned it to its former glory.

Designed by church architect Edward Pugin, the monastery was built in the late 19th century for Franciscan monks but by 1997 was on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World.

Robert Hough, chairman of the urban regeneration company New East Manchester, said: "It is truly wonderful that Pugin's architectural masterpiece will take its place as one of the city's newest and most inspiring cultural venues.

He said that the purpose of saving the monastery is to "maintain this historic site for future generations and to ensure all income generated will provide benefits to other charities and community organisations".

The monastery will be used a convention venue and will stage conferences for up to 500 people.

The restoration was overseen by the Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, English Heritage and the North West Development Agency.


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