A panel of heritage experts has visited Stoke-on-Trent to explore and advise on potential opportunities for regeneration.
The Historic Places Panel, facilitated by Historic England, was invited by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to provide advice on heritage-led regeneration, tourism, and the economic and wellbeing benefits that heritage can provide.
Members visited a number of heritage sites in Burslem, including the Queen’s Theatre, indoor market and Hill Top Sunday School, and met with stakeholders, businesses and organisations, including the city council, to discuss regeneration opportunities that could help to restore and build on the Mother Town’s historic character.
Following the two-day visit, which took place on November 5 and 6, they will produce a review paper setting out their findings and recommendations.
Louise Brennan, regional director for Historic England in the Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be in Burslem. We want to help the town, and Stoke-on-Trent more widely, to harness its heritage and thrive as a place where people enjoy living and doing business. A city’s heritage can be a positive force for the local economy and communities.”
The independent panel – which is made up of senior figures from the public, private and not for profit sectors nationally – typically carries out just three visits per year, and provides advice about the regeneration and revitalisation of historic places.
Panel members have expertise in specialisms including architecture, archaeology, building conservation, community and stakeholder engagement, design, development economics, gardens and landscapes, history, planning and retail and regeneration.
Place-making expert Paul Williams, whose roles include board membership of Stoke Creates and We Are Staffordshire, was among the local stakeholders who joined the panel on their visit.
He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Delighted to meet with Historic England’s Historic Places Panel today as part of their visit to Stoke-on-Trent to consider a range of issues in Burslem, including heritage-led regeneration, the future of the high street and the strategic roles that housing, culture, tourism, education, business and skills have in the Mother Town’s future.”
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “We were delighted to host The Historic Places Panel this week and outline our plans to transform some of our most important heritage buildings and safeguard them for future generations. It was a great opportunity to showcase some of the city’s key heritage sites to the panel of national experts, including Burslem Indoor Market and the Wedgwood Institute.
“We are looking forward to receiving feedback and advice from Historic England and will continue to engage with them around our plans for regeneration going forward and the challenges we face.”
It is not yet known when the panel’s report will be published.
