Stoke-on-Trent heritage investment opportunities

Burslem Market Hall

 Background 

The 19th century, Grade ll listed Burslem Market Hall is in the heart of the town and Conservation Area with main frontage onto Queen Street. The ground floor provides six retail shops which front the market hall and the first and second floor consists of ten flats, all providing an income opportunity. The market hall is open plan with a domed and glazed roof structure. 

Opportunity 

An outline business case has been commissioned recommending a preferred option of a modern foodhall/market with a flexible events stage for the nighttime economy. There is opportunity for investors, developers and future operators. 

Work is underway on safeguarding the building with a specification of works and identification of funding to carry out the works to make the building secure and watertight. 

Owner: Stoke-on-Trent City Council 

Size: 0.387 Acres 

Crown Works 

Background
 

Key to the history of the area, the derelict factory building has been a site of ceramics production since the late 18th century. 

Opportunity 

It will be brought back to life with a design that references the character of the original building whilst providing high-quality, modern facilities. The face of the factory site will be retained and incorporated into the new build to create a striking feature development at the gateway to Longton and will complement local heritage-led regeneration schemes for a vibrant town centre. 

OVI Homes will be looking to appoint an operator for the completed residential scheme. 

Owner: OVI Homes 

Cost: £9.4 million 

Size: c.1 acre 

Funding: £6.5m government funding 

Programme: Main works – spring 2025; Completion – spring 2026

Development mix: 62 apartments, Longton, residential development

Interested in this project?

Get in touch below to find out more. 

The Queens Theatre, Burslem 

Background

This Grade II listed building, located in the heart of Burslem town centre, was completed in 1911. Originally planned as a replacement town hall for Burslem, this function became obsolete before completion, with the federation of Stoke-on-Trent as a city being established. The Queens Hall was an operational theatre and concert hall for many years, and still hosts a main auditorium, stage and lobby, with tiered seating on a first-floor balcony. 

Opportunity

A feasibility study for the property has recently been completed, which recommends the building’s use as a multi-purpose space (potentially for large-scale weddings) and the adjacent Princes Hall as multi-use or even residential apartments. 

Owner: Stoke-on-Trent City Council 

Size: 51,166.03 ft²

Interested in this project? 

Get in touch below to find out more. 

Key facts

Key heritage regeneration opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent

Why invest in Stoke-on-Trent?

Stoke-on-Trent is an ambitious city with big plans and, through partnership, we drive economic and inclusive growth across the city.

It is a place uniquely defined by its industrial and technological heritage, and, today, through its business base engaged in digital services and e-commerce –  harnessing the very same entrepreneurial spirit to transition fast and re-emerge as one of the UK’s biggest growth centres.

Key reasons to invest:

• Ranked second-fastest-growing economy for post-recession job creation
• Between Dec 2020 to June 2022, house prices increased 5.3%, with England at 2.9%
• 2016-2020, highest GVA growth per head at 21%
• £485m capital investment programme for next 5 years
• Ground-breaking partnership with Homes England to build 3000 new homes + £400m GVA
• Digital transformation supported by the University of Staffordshire, with its 3000-student-strong Digital School, and by Keele University, with their Digital Society Institute researching into AI transformation and application. Also the supply of low-carbon heat as from the mine water heat opportunity. Electrical grid indicated headroom of 150MW, with future enhancement to 230MW to support AI data centre(s) and eco-park development.
• The same location benefits that attracted Michelin in 1926 are, once again, bringing international businesses to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Jaguar Land Rover, Amazon and Molson-Coors are just some of the names investing millions of pounds and creating thousands of jobs here.

Insight for investors

• Delivery timescale: 2025-2026
• Planning status: Various