Stoke-on-Trent’s Claybody Theatre has scooped a prestigious national honour after The Dipping House was named the winner of the Great Found Space Award at the Great British Theatres Awards.
The company beat competition from across the UK to claim the accolade, which recognises the creative transformation of unusual or previously unused buildings into successful theatre venues.
Claybody’s Co-Artistic Director Conrad Nelson and Executive Director Jane Bailey collected the award at a ceremony at Central Hall Westminster, securing national recognition for the organisation’s work to bring a former industrial building on the historic Spode Works site back into use.
The Dipping House, located at the Church Street entrance to the former pottery factory, has been transformed over the past three years from an empty shed into a permanent 130-seat theatre, events venue and community space.
The award marks a major milestone for the company, which took on the atmospheric building, then known only as Shed 8R, in 2023 and set about creating a cultural hub in the heart of one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most significant heritage sites.
Claybody Co-Artistic Director and playwright Deborah McAndrew said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see The Dipping House and Claybody Theatre receiving national recognition.
“Bringing this beautiful heritage space back to life is both hard work and a joyful journey. We wouldn’t be where we are without the strong partnership of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the goodwill and support of our audiences, Friends, artists and communities, as well as wonderful sponsors like KMF and Lucideon.
“This award is an achievement we all share.”
The theatre company now has a 15-year lease on The Dipping House and has worked alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council to secure funding for improvements to facilities, accessibility and audience comfort.
Conrad said the award was recognition of what has been achieved so far, while highlighting the importance of securing the venue’s long-term future.
He said: “In many ways, this is only the beginning.
“The challenge now is to make the venue sustainable for the future. There’s a lot of love for The Dipping House in the city, and we need to ensure that it’s fit to serve creatives and local communities for years to come.
“This means maintaining standards of excellence across all activities and attracting funding and support from many different sources.”
The award comes as Claybody prepares for its Christmas production, ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’, which runs at The Dipping House from 4 to 20 December.
