Stoke's iconic Wedgwood Institute one of the 'most endangered' buildings in country reopens to public

The exterior of the building Credit: Twistedmind Photography

A Stoke landmark which was once listed as one of the most endangered Victorian buildings in the country will re-open to the public today after restoration work costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The restoration of Stoke's historic Wedgwood Institute has completed its first stage, with the ground floor of the building now open for temporary public use.

The Burslem building is one of England's most endangered Victorian buildings and is Grade II* listed.

The process is being paid for through hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of grants from various organisations including:

  • European Regional Development Fund

  • Heritage Lottery Fund

  • English Heritage

  • Stoke-on-Trent City Council

The outside of the building Credit: Twistedmind Photography

The Wedgwood Institute has gone through a range of different incarnations, serving different functions in the local community since it was founded in 1863:

The Wedgwood Institute has gone through a range of incarnations in the local area Credit: ITV Central

The first stage of the works to the building aimed to make the structure of the building safe. Urgent repairs were needed, including:

  • Weatherproofing the Institute's roof

  • Protecting the most fragile elements of its terracotta façade, including the mosaic roundels showing zodiac signs

  • Cleaning the gutters

  • Putting in measures to stop water and pigeons getting inside the building.

  • Revamping the electrical and heating systems inside the building

  • Re-plastering the walls

The Prince's Regeneration Trust is now looking for potential tenants and short-term occupants for the interim use of the building.