City calls for £325m investment over ten years, warning some historic assets will be lost entirely despite regeneration efforts.
Stoke-on-Trent has become the first city in the UK to declare what it calls a ‘heritage emergency’, as it calls for urgent investment to protect its most significant heritage sites.
A new prospectus, ‘The Potteries: A National Heritage Emergency’, sets out a ten-year plan which would require £325m of public and private investment to safeguard the city’s historic assets and support regeneration.
The prospectus states that it is “intended to act as a call to arms” to the “harsh reality” that “much of this built heritage is in a poor condition and urgent action is needed if it is not to be lost to the city.”
The call to action warns that “some historic assets will be lost entirely” and argues that the challenge is for the nation, not just the city.
The prospectus says the potential to create a heritage destination of international appeal would provide cultural and economic returns that far outweigh the multi-million initial investment.
Stoke-on-Trent, an amalgamation of six federated towns, is home to more than 275 listed buildings, 22 conservation areas, five scheduled monuments and five registered historic parks. Sixteen sites are officially at risk, with many more in serious decline.
The city council says it has already invested more than £6.5m to help safeguard three of the city’s most significant heritage buildings, Burslem Indoor Market, the Wedgwood Institute and Falcon Works, so they are preserved ready for future use.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of the city council, said: “We are getting on with playing our part. But the task is enormous and we need others to step up, too.
“We’ve already seen what’s possible. Sites like Spode, Middleport, Fenton Town Hall and the historic Vaults at the Goods Yard have been restored and brought back into use. But we can only do this with strong support and collaboration from government, national organisations and owners of public and private assets.”
“Saving our historic sites is not just a local issue – Stoke-on-Trent should be an international jewel.”
The city is one of the first nine places set to benefit from a share of £200m as part of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Places Initiative.
It is also working through major partnerships including organisations such as Re-Form Heritage, Capital&Centric and Dog & Bone to deliver large-scale regeneration.
Work is underway to find new sustainable uses for some of the city’s most important heritage assets. A new memorandum of understanding with IFK Legacy CIC will explore future options for the Queen’s Theatre in Burslem, with ambitions for a music and arts venue celebrating Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister.
Work by new owners Heronceau Properties is progressing at Hanley Town Hall, where plans for an aparthotel, café and co-working space are bringing the building back into use.
The council continues to work with partners including Historic England, Homes England, Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Re-Form Heritage.
