More heritage buildings saved – this time in Longton

Three precious heritage buildings in Longton are being restored for generations to come – with another in the pipeline.

The frontages of retail buildings based between Times Square and Gladstone Pottery Museum have been revitalised as part of a scheme which aims to reinvigorate the town centre.

Properties in Market Street and Uttoxeter Road have now been completed while work is ongoing to restore a third building in Commerce Street and an application for one further property is well underway.

Up to 80 per cent of the cost of repair and refurbishment has come from the Longton Town Partnership Scheme (PSiCA) which is funded by an Historic England grant and investment from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The PSiCA is part of the Stoke-on-Trent Ceramic Heritage Action Zone which focuses on the refurbishment of historic buildings.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said: “We are committed to preserving our most valuable heritage buildings across the city so they can be enjoyed by our local communities for generations to come.

“Anyone who has visited Longton town centre before will have spotted, and admired, the old buildings which are benefiting from the PSiCA scheme, so it is great that we are able to make this investment, and we are grateful for the support we have received from Historic England which has enabled us to carry out these essential repair works.”

The first property to benefit from the investment is Moorland House, in Commerce Street. The 19th century building, formerly occupied by the Britannia Building Society, is undergoing repair works to its roof, brick, stonework and windows and improvements to its shop front. Work started in January and is due for completion in May.

Victoria Buildings in Market Street has also benefited from structural and repair works to its roof, brick, stonework and windows as well as improvements to its shop front. Work on the property, which was built in 1897 and was once occupied by wine and spirit merchant Frank Flint, started last February and was completed in February 2024.

In addition, grant funding has also been awarded to a property on Uttoxeter Road, where works started – and finished - last month (March 2024).

The PSiCA scheme was launched in August 2021 after Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s successful bid to Historic England. The city council is providing £300,000 towards the scheme while Historic England is providing £318,000.

Louise Brennan, Historic England Regional Director (Midlands), said: “We’re really proud to be partnering with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to deliver refurbishment to some of Longton’s most important heritage buildings.

“The Ceramic Heritage Action Zone is a unique scheme that will protect and champion Longton’s distinctive industrial history, and the PSiCA grant is a crucial part of that.”