Funding boost for Gladstone Pottery Museum

Repairs and improvements will be carried out at an award-winning museum after it was chosen to receive emergency government arts funding.

Gladstone Pottery Museum, in Longton, will benefit from a £25,000 cash injection after Stoke-on-Trent City Council successfully bid to Heritage England’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The money will be spent on repairing the roof in critical areas at the Grade-II* listed site to protect it from water damage. It will also fund window restoration work, including repairs to the sash windows that are of particular historical importance.

Last year the popular tourist attraction claimed the gold award in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2020.

Cllr Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, said: “Gladstone is one of the city’s most iconic sites and has achieved national recognition after winning a whole host of awards over the years, all of which have been thoroughly deserved. It’s a site that is much loved by residents and visitors alike and is an irreplaceable part of our city’s heritage, so we’re really pleased to have received this money which will certainly be put to good use.”

The work is expected to start in spring and should be completed by summer. Scaffolding will have to be used so workers can safely access certain areas but the site – which is currently closed in line with the national lockdown – will not be effected in any other way.

Cllr James Smith, the city council’s Heritage Champion, said: “It’s an incredibly tough time for museums and galleries across the country, so news that our bid has been successful is very welcome. The money will go towards important repair work at the site, which will help make it an even better visitor attraction when we’re able to throw open the doors to visitors once again.”

While the museum is temporarily closed due to national covid restrictions, there is a large range of information and activities available online. This includes home schooling resources, family activities, local history information, blogs and a virtual tour. For more details, visit https://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm/