The Harper Street: Engagement in Heritage Project is the renovation of eleven Victorian terraced houses adjacent to Middleport Pottery. The project will see the transformation of these original workers' houses into a new heritage attraction, studio & workshop space, publicly accessible archive and community hub for Middleport's residents.

~ Community Hub ~

There is an urgent need for community space in the area that is safe and accessible. The only existing spaces are at a local NHS surgery and at Middleport Park Bowling Pavilion, a space that is perceived as unsafe by parts of the community.

Re-Form Heritage will support local community action group Middleport Matters to manage a purpose-built and accessible space from where they can run a vibrant training and activities programme for all ages, including IT and ESOL classes; exercise and music classes; and mother and toddler groups.

~ Changing Places ~

It is estimated that there are approximately 8,000 people in the catchment area of Middleport Pottery/Harper Street that require a ‘Changing Places’ toilet facility. There is no other facility in the immediate area and few across the city that have a disabled car park within such close proximity.

Within the Harper Street development, we propose that a purpose-built Changing Places toilet will be available seven days a week. Having a facility situated at Middleport Pottery, with all the additional benefits our site offers, will open up access to heritage, learning and social opportunities to many hundreds of people who previously have been marginalised by lack of simple necessities such as a suitable toilet facility.