Burslem Market Hall: £4m Renovation Begins

Next week marks the commencement of a £4 million renovation project for Burslem's historic 19th-century market hall. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has announced that the work on the Grade II listed building is scheduled to begin on Tuesday and is expected to conclude by May 2027. This ambitious restoration is part of a broader initiative by the council to preserve and repurpose significant heritage assets within the city.

Funding for the extensive project has been secured through a combination of council resources, government investment, and contributions from Historic England. The market building, originally constructed in 1879, has remained closed to the public since 2003 due to safety concerns arising from falling masonry. Council leader Councillor Jane Ashworth expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the building's sentimental value and future potential.

Upon completion, the market hall will initially serve as a venue for temporary entertainment, leisure, and hospitality. In the longer term, the council aims for the building to be in permanent use, collaborating with regeneration specialists Next Phase Projects, who have experience with similar market hall revitalizations across the UK.

This initiative follows Stoke-on-Trent's declaration of a "heritage emergency" earlier this year, which sought £325 million to protect its historical sites. Other ongoing projects include safeguarding the Wedgwood Institute and improvements to the School of Art. Notably, Historic England had previously withdrawn £1 million in funding for the market hall project but offered a £200,000 development grant for planning.