Mechanics Institute

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Mechanics Institute

Manchester's premier conference & meeting venue, located right in the city centre. Birthplace of the TUC. Licensed for weddings/civil partnerships.
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The Mechanics Institute is steeped in history. Established on April 7th 1824, it would become the birthplace of the Co-operative Insurance in 1867, the Trades Union Congress in 1868 & the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology in 1882. As well as being significant to local history it is also a precious venue in many people's personal history. We have hosted thousands of weddings, retirement parties, anniversaries and all manner of other social functions. Today we are Manchester's premier meeting & conference venue, hosting events every day. We are also home to extensive archives from the National Labour Museum. We can't wait to be part of your history.

Operating as usual

06/09/2020

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07/08/2019

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25/06/2019

UCU North West

Come and join UCU - University and College Union Unison North West and @ThompsonsLaw on Friday 28 June at Mechanics Institute from 1830 to see the brilliant #NaePasaran!
https://vimeo.com/282304080

🎫 Grab your tickets by emailing info@mechanicsinstitute.co.uk 🎫

03/06/2019

🎫 Grab your tickets by emailing [email protected] 🎫

01/06/2019

🎫 Grab your tickets by emailing [email protected] 🎫

31/05/2019

🎶 Tickets just £25 for all 3 nights 🎶

14/05/2019

🎶 Music at the Mechanics 🎶

📝We are a not-for-profit organisation and provide a city centre venue at a very competitive price! Click the link below ...

30/04/2019

Booking Enquiry | Mechanics Conference Centre

📝We are a not-for-profit organisation and provide a city centre venue at a very competitive price! Click the link below to find out more 👇

Booking Enquiry Please complete the details below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can: Name This field is requiredCompanyPhoneAddress Line 1Address Line 2Address Line 3Town/CityPostcodeEmail Address This field is requiredRoom StyleNumber of AttendeesDate RequiredNumber of Days RequiredStar...

03/06/2018

TUC Yorkshire & the Humber

Happy 150th birthday! Today, on 2nd June 1868 ordinary folk from across the UK met in Manchester to found the Trades Union Congress and change the world of work for good. And we’ve had a Congress every year since to continue the fight! ✊🏻#TUC150

03/06/2018

Neil Terry Photography

Launch event of #tuc150 at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester 02.06.2018.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is celebrating its 150th year and as part its celebration it is telling 150 'snapshot' stories from past to present and encouraging everyone to join a trade union - remember it is your right!

The trade union movement has won a lot over the last 150 years - from the right to paid time off work, health and safety legislation, sick pay, equal pay, equal opportunities, maternity and paternity pay and rights, living wage, pensions, anti-discrimination legislation, harassment, protecting vital public services, providing free legal help, etc. etc. They aren't just about strikes. We ALL benefit from being in unions. If you think they are irrelevant and a thing of the past, ask the workers at McDonalds, TGI Fridays, Sports Direct, Amazon and others who are fighting for trade union recognition and are striking for it if they think unions are no longer important.

My favourite trade union story is that of the Grunwick dispute in 1976 where just before walking out on strike Jayaben Desai told her boss "What you are running is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions who can bite your head off. We are those lions, Mr Manager."

02/06/2018

Infamous Community Arts

Sound Check with Banner Theatre at the Mechanics Institute #spiritof1868 #TUC150years

02/06/2018

People's History Museum

#OnThisDay 150 years ago, the TUC was formed in #Manchester at The Mechanics Institute (also the former home of PHM!) Visit the museum and find out more about trade unions, and join a special tour as part of Manchester Histories TUC Day on Fri 8 June #TUC150 #ideasworthremembering

31/05/2018

"I've always thought that the Mechanics Institute is one of Manchester's most overlooked, significant historical buildings. Where else in the world has the building where the very first Trades Union Congress was held? A building that is run and managed by trade unionists.

Over 12 months ago, the Board decided that we would celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the TUC by holding a week of events in the very building where 34 delegates representing some 118,376 trade unionists met and decided to hold an annual congress. One of the major decisions was "to take action in all Parliamentary matters pertaining to the general interests of the working classes."

The week starts with a play, "Spirit of 1868", commissioned by the Mechanics Centre Trust to celebrate the founding of the TUC and150 years of union struggle. Starting on Sunday, 3rd June, there follows a week of music arranged in co-operation with Band on the Wall bringing some of its favourite folk artists to the\stunning surroundings of the Mechanics Institute for a string of unmissable, unique folk concerts. My ambition, as chair of the board of trustees has been to have music in the Mechanics Institute. So for me, the week is the fulfilment of an ambition.

Harry Spooner

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spirit-of-1868-performed-by-banner-theatre-tickets-45515240309

https://bandonthewall.org/events/

30/05/2018

Manchester Wire

MIKE AND THE MECHANICS: The Mike Harding Folk Show is just one of the performers as Band on the Wall takes over Mechanics Institute on Princess Street for a week of folk gigs to celebrate 150 years of the Trade Unions Council. Starts Sunday, see our top picks here: https://manchesterwire.co.uk/band-on-the-walls-folk-festival-at-the-mechanics-institute-ft-kathryn-williams-mike-harding-more

"Why not have a Congress of our own?" said Samuel Nicholson, President of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council, who...

23/05/2018

Spirit of 1868 Performed by Banner Theatre

"Why not have a Congress of our own?" said Samuel Nicholson, President of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council, who sent out the call to the first ever Trades Union Congress in 1868.

A stirring dramatisation of some of the struggles, protests and moments of resistance that shaped our past and our present! This play has been commissioned by the Mechanics Centre Trust to celebrate the founding of the TUC and 150 years of union struggle.

Book your tickets for the June 2nd 7.30pm show today!

A show commissioned by the Mechanics Centre Trust to celebrate the founding of the TUC and 150 years of union struggle. "Why not have a Congress of our own?" said Samuel Nicholson, President of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council, who sent out the call to the first ever Trades Union Congress i...

26/04/2018

Kathryn Williams + Claire Mooney: Women in Union - TUC 150th Anniversary at the Mechanics Institute, Manchester - Band on the Wall

An evening of music by some of the most exciting women in folk music today, featuring performances from Kathryn Williams and Claire Mooney.

10/04/2018

CWU North West Region

Long day but worth it with over 50 retired members attending #TheCWU NW Forum at the Mechanics Institute Thanks to Margaret Greenwood MP, Tony Kearns, CWU Senior DGS & Jan Shortt, GS NPC for doing a cracking as guest speakers answering some tough questions on a wide range of topics. Great to see Elli Long Regional Young Workers Officer at the event.

03/04/2018

CWU: CWU North West Retired Members Forum

The a North West CWU Retired Members Forum shall be held on Tuesday 10th April 2018 at the Mechanics’ Institute, Princess Street, Manchester, commencing at 10.30am.

02/04/2018

Celebrating 150 years since the TUC was founded here. Book your union meeting, conference or event with us at an exclusive discounted rate. 0161 236 9336 https://t.co/7ZCMJjBmTx

28/03/2018

Join us here on Saturday 5th of May at 7pm for 'We Are The Lions Mr Manager', the brilliant new play about the Grunwick Strike.

21/03/2018

Band on the Wall

ON SALE: Join us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), with a series of unmissable folk concerts at the iconic Mechanics Institute, Manchester this June. Tickets on sale now bandonthewall.org #TUC150

03/06 - Mike Harding (solo) at Mechanics Institute Manchester #tuc150
05/06 - Oysters 3 (Oysterband Acoustic) at Mechanics Institute #tuc150
06/06 - Dezi Donnelly & Mike McGoldrick at Mechanics Institute #tuc150
08/06 - Bunting and Frolics at Mechanics Institute, Manchester #tuc150
09/06 - Edward II / Jennifer Reid / Poppycock at Mechanics Institute

12/03/2018

Join us here on Saturday 5th of May at 7.30pm for a very special performance of 'We Are The Lions Mr Manager', Neil Gore's theatrical account of the Grunwick Strike.

05/03/2018

Band on the Wall

Edward the Second's Simon Care sat down with us to discuss the Manchester's Improving Daily project when they performed at Band on the Wall. We're taking them over to the Mechanics Institute to celebrate 150 years of the TUC on Sat 9th June.

https://bandonthewall.org/events/edward-ii-jennifer-reid-poppycock-tuc-150th-anniversary-mechanics-institute-manchester/

02/03/2018

Band on the Wall

28/02/2018

Band on the Wall

JUST ANNOUNCED: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), we're delighted to present a series of unmissable folk concerts at the iconic Mechanics Institute, Manchester this June. Tickets on sale 9am Friday from bandonthewall.org #TUC150

03/06 - Mike Harding (solo) at Mechanics Institute Manchester #tuc150
05/06 - Oysters 3 (Oysterband Acoustic) at Mechanics Institute #tuc150
06/06 - Dezi Donnelly & Mike McGoldrick at Mechanics Institute #tuc150
08/06 - Bunting and Frolics at Mechanics Institute, Manchester #tuc150 - Free entry
09/06 - Edward II / Jennifer Reid / Poppycock at Mechanics Institute

26/02/2018

Celebrating 150 years since the TUC was founded here. Book your union meeting, conference or function with us at an exclusive discounted rate 0161 236 9336 https://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk

12/02/2018

Salford City Unison

Today we’re at a TUC event looking at how we strengthen training and skills in health and social care.

From all of us here at the birthplace of the Trades Union Congress, happy #HeartUnions week! What started here 150 years...

12/02/2018

Join a union

From all of us here at the birthplace of the Trades Union Congress, happy #HeartUnions week! What started here 150 years ago must continue. Workers of Manchester, join a union today!

Unions help workers get together, stop people being treated unfairly and get a better deal from their employers. More than 5 million people are in a union. You can join a union today.

29/01/2018

‪Celebrating 150 years since the TUC was founded in this building. Book your union meeting, conference or function at an exclusive discounted rate today! https://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk

26/01/2018

‪In 2018 we celebrate 150 years since the TUC was founded here. Book your union meeting, conference or function here at a special discounted rate! 0161 236 9336 https://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk/our-rooms/‬

18/01/2018

‪#ManchesterHistory - Exchange Station, 1960. ‬

16/01/2018

150 years ago the TUC was founded here. Today we host union meetings and events at special discounted rates. 0161 236 9336 https://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk/booking-enquiry/

15/01/2018

‪Trade unions: Book your conference or meeting with us & enjoy our exclusive union discount 0161 236 9336 https://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk/booking-enquiry/‬

11/01/2018

#ManchesterHistory - Manchester Central Station in 1930.

10/01/2018

#ManchesterHistory - Oxford Road in 1920.

Address

103 Princess Street
Manchester
M1 6DD

Telephone

0161 236 9336

Website

http://www.mechanicsinstitute.co.uk/

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