Hundreds of people have been having their say on the future of a Stoke-on-Trent town's historic market building.

Burslem Indoor Market is currently undergoing £4 million of urgent repairs, which will allow the Grade II listed building to be brought back into use next year.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is planning to use the market hall for various 'pop-up' events while its long-term future is determined.

Consultants from Next Phase are carrying out a public consultation giving people the chance to have their say on how the building can be used.

More than 400 people have so far responded to an online survey, and the first of two drop-in events was held at Barewall Art Studio on Thursday.

Next Phase is a specialist regeneration consultancy that has worked on projects to restore market halls and other 'stranded' heritage assets around the country.

More than 400 people have so far responded to an online survey, and the first of two drop-in events was held at Barewall Art Studio (image via Nub News)

Simon Anderson, from Next Phase, says it is important that local people feel involved and engaged.

advertisement

He said: "The main thing we're doing here is learning what people in Burslem want to see happen with the market hall.

"People have been really interested in the market. One thing that's come across very strongly today has been the interest in arts and culture in Burslem. We can see that with everything that's happening with Lemmy in the town. So that could be something to explore with the market hall."

Simon's colleage Emma Forbes emphasised the need for the market hall plans to reflect Burslem's unique characteristics, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach.

She said: "People might hear market hall and just assume that it will be a food hall, but that's not always the right option."

Sue Pointon, who lives and works in Burslem, was among those who attended the consultation event on Thursday. She said: "I think it definitely needs to include retail space and entertainment space.

"Burslem is a market town, and when the market closed a lot of shops closed as well because people stopped coming into town. So we need to get that back again.

"There have been plans to reopen the market before but now at least we can see something is happening. It's good that they're keeping people updated as well with things like this. They need to keep doing that."

Burslem Indoor Market is currently undergoing £4 million of urgent repairs (image via Nub News)

advertisement

The indoor market dates back to 1879, but has been closed for more than 20 years due to safety concerns.

Cabinet members at the council agreed to allocate £3.6 million of capital funds for repair works earlier this year, adding to the £700,000 of Levelling Up Partnership funding previously secured for the project.

The current works, which are set to be completed in May 2027, will make the building usable for short-term uses. But further funding will need to be secured for a full refurbishment.

A second consultation event will take place at 32 Queen Street, Burslem on Wednesday, 10 June, from 10am to 7pm. Attendees will also be able to view the ongoing works at the market hall from the venue's rear window.

People can also have their say by filling in the online survey here. The consultation runs until 15 June.