The Spode Museum collection is returning home
A huge building project has started at the Spode Museum in Stoke to restore a large disused nightclub space into a new museum store.
The Spode Museum collection is one of the largest and most important ceramics collections in the country and has been locked away in storage since the Spode factory went into administration in 2008.
Over 20,000 items will return to their historic factory site allowing the museum to assess and catalogue the collection and eventually make it available for the public to once again enjoy.
The cost of renovation has been secured from Historic England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council and is being used to transform the old INSET nightclub into a space worthy of housing an important ceramics collection. The existing museum space will benefit from a new meeting room, new display spaces, and clear glass windows allowing passers by to see more of the wonderful treasures within and illuminating the streetscape along Liverpool Road.
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration, and heritage, has said: “What a monumental occasion for our city’s heritage. Not only to ensure the historical artifacts return to their rightful home, but also encouraging residents and visitors to see some of the wonderful heritage sites in Stoke.”
Since reopening in 2016 as a small, temporary exhibition the Spode Museum has grown into an established attraction in The Potteries and now attracts visitors from around the words keen to learn more about the long and illustrious history of pottery manufacture at Spode Works.
As well as displays that showcase Josiah’s Spode’s two greatest innovations – fine bone china and underglaze transfer-printed ware, the museum also contains an art gallery and a large museum shop that sells vintage and antique ceramics from all of the Staffordshire potteries. The museum, gallery, and shop all remain open during the building works.
The project was funded by Historic England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council and is part of the Stoke HSHAZ project. The project is being completed by long-established local company Sneyd Constructions and will take until the end of January 2023 to complete.
For further information or a tour of the site, please contact Michael Escolme, manager of the Spode Museum on 07905 346295 or email vi***********@********ks.org
(Main image shows the old nightclub at Spode.)
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