Middleport Pottery restoration is complete
THE UK’s last working Victorian pottery is ready to face the future following the completion of a £9m restoration project.
The 18 month long programme of works at the Grade II listed Middleport Pottery site in Stoke-on-Trent saw William Anelay carrying out the work on behalf of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, the charity that owns and saved the historic site.
Famous for producing the distinctive Burleigh pottery using traditional techniques and craftsmanship, Middleport dates back to 1888.
The site was at risk of being lost until The Prince’s Regeneration Trust (PRT) acquired it in June 2011. Grants were provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Growth Fund.
The pottery site has now been given a new lease of life, protecting and creating jobs in the process as well as allowing visitors and residents to see inside the pottery.
The project, delivered under the auspices of architects Feilden Clegg Bradley, involved three planned phases taking place whilst the factory, with its 50 strong workforce, remained operational.
William Anelay’s site manager Gary Wilson said: “This was a complex project that resembled a game of chess as we worked around an existing functioning factory.
“A large number of the buildings on the site underwent conservation and repair in order to protect the historic fabric and integrity of the pottery, including storage facilities for over 18,000 moulds which are of international significance.”
Ros Kerslake, chief executive, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said: “William Anelay understood the complexity of the project, and of course have an excellent record in working with historic buildings.
“They worked incredibly hard to create the right balance between site development and conservation. Their knowledge and skill has been invaluable and we have really enjoyed working with them.”
