Community leaders have welcomed £1.5 million of funding for two historic Stoke-on-Trent buildings. Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Hanley and Burslem Indoor Market are among 37 projects around the country to be allocated cash from the government’s Heritage at Risk fund, via Historic England.
The funding will pay for vital repair work to the listed buildings, and help pave the way for them to be brought back into use. Burslem Indoor Market closed more than 20 years ago following a ceiling collapse and has remained vacant ever since.
Burslem Indoor Market in poor condition
Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which applied for the funding earlier this year, says the Grade II listed building is in “extremely poor condition”, with the money set to go towards emergency repairs to the roof and a refurbishment of the exterior. The total cost of the works is expected to be around £2,297,773.
A 2023 study proposed turning it into a food court and entertainment venue, but the long-term future of the site remains uncertain. At least the repairs should prevent the building from deteriorating further.
Council leader Jane Ashworth, who is also ward councillor for Burslem, hopes that the works can start as soon as possible. She said: “This funding award shows that national investors are recognising the importance of restoring Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage buildings.
“I think the people of Burslem are fed up with waiting for the indoor market to be restored. If we’re going to improve the Queen Street area, Burslem Indoor Market will be a vital part of that.”
Stoke-on-Trent North MP David Williams said: “It’s good news that £1mn has been secured from the ‘Heritage at Risk’ capital fund, through Historic England, to fund urgent repairs and to preserve the building so it can be redeveloped.
“I raise the condition of our heritage buildings at every opportunity I have in Parliament. So this is welcome news indeed but let’s be frank; our beautiful buildings should have never been allowed to decay the way they have.”
Bethesda Chapel’s future as an arts centre
Meanwhile, the Grade II* listed Bethesda Chapel in Hanley has been awarded £521,737 from the Heritage at Risk fund. Known as the ‘Cathedral of the Potteries’, the 19th century chapel closed for active worship 40 years ago, and has been the subject of long-running restoration efforts.
Stoke-on-Trent-based Re-Form Heritage took on the building earlier this year, and plans to use it as an exhibition and performance space, as well as a base for specialist arts educator Pinc College. The Historic England funding will pay for extensive repairs to plasterwork and timber panelling, the staircases and the east lobby, as well as the first phase of installing a heating system. Re-Form Heritage says the work will make the chapel a more “attractive, comfortable and accessible space”, facilitating the charity’s long-term plans.
Chief executive Alasdair Brooks said: “We are delighted and grateful to have received this funding from Historic England. The funds will allow us to move forward with bringing the much-loved Cathedral of the Potteries back into community use, and we’re excited at being able to progress our work at this important Grade II*-listed building over the coming months.”
Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell said:
I am delighted that Re-Form Heritage have been awarded £521,737 of funding by Historic England to renovate Bethesda Chapel in Hanley.
“It is so important that where possible our history and heritage is preserved and redeveloped for future generations to enjoy. I look forward to seeing how this project progresses.
A Local Democracy Press Release by Phil Corrigan (edited).
