Stoke-on-Trent’s historic landmarks are set to benefit from a fresh injection of funding thanks to National Lottery players.
The £240,252 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will support delivery of a new partnership between the city council and Re-Form Heritage, the city’s heritage development trust.
Together, they will restore and protect some of the city’s small but important heritage assets – from statues and memorials to fountains, murals and street furniture.
The project will also give local people a chance to get involved, by helping to choose which sites should be restored and by taking part in activities to celebrate and protect the city’s history.
The community engagement programmes will also help to build a community sense of ownership towards the historic environment as well as encouraging residents, local groups, professions and business to work together to shape their public heritage and spaces.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Our heritage tells the story of who we are as a city – it reflects both our industrial strength and our creativity. We know there are challenges to tackle but100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status is the perfect time to reflect on its past and invest in its future.
“It’s great that we’re working with our heritage development trust, Re-form Heritage, on this project. It will not only restore important local landmarks but also give communities the chance to shape how we care for them in the future.”
Dr Alasdair Brooks, Chief Executive at Re-Form Heritage, said “We’re delighted to be able to move forward with the Centenary Restoration Fund initiative in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for their support. The Centenary Restoration fund will embed local community support for much-loved smaller-scale heritage assets across our city, and will help leave a lasting legacy for this year’s Stoke-on-Trent 100 celebrations”.
Residents will soon be invited to nominate and have their say on the heritage assets they’d like to see restored as part of the programme.