No 13 -  Burslem 
The Old Post Office

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'A Stamp of Approval' 

“We recognise that the Post Office is more than a commercial entity and serves a distinct social purpose…we will ensure that post offices remain a valuable social economic asset for our communities and businesses. There will be no programme of post office closures under this Government”
- Department for Business Innovation & Skills, November 2010

Well, it’s that time of year again. The usual December mayhem and chaos leading to the Christmas and New Year festivities. Last week I paid a visit to a manic card shop where I queued for half an hour, was pushed, belted, had my toes trodden on, and was glared at for standing motionless. At the till, I was asked if I would like to buy some stamps. I did, and found myself seven quid worse off. Still, last post for Christmas deliveries was fast approaching; I needed those stamps.

The role of the post office has changed dramatically over the years. Technological advances and the dominance of over Snail Mail has led to less people using the postal service, which has ultimately meant a massive increase in the price of postage stamps – hence the reason for the recent hit on my wallet – and changes in the way Government services are delivered has seen the service decline, and require massive public subsidy to survive. 

At the dawn of the new millennium, there were around 18,000 post offices around the country; a decade later, we were down to 11,500, and closures continue. From large to small, urban to rural, post offices can be vital – often lifelines – to local neighbourhoods: there was much hand-wringing and fretting over in Hanley when the head post office was closed with services moved to a ‘franchise’ in WH Smith on an upper floor of the Potteries Shopping Centre, with local politicians and community leaders expressing concerns about the accessibility of the service to older people and those less able. 

But still they move or disappear.

However, as the Government has recognised, post offices play an important role in our communities, and as such, have committed to not launching a programme of closures during the Era of Austerity. Whilst their commitment to the post office is laudable (though given the continued disdain they display towards public services, few would expect them to honour their commitment), it is a shame that a similar commitment is not shown to our local authorities who also play an important role in our communities, and also deliver vital public services. Instead, fat controller Eric Pickles continues his squeeze on council funding and budgets which will leave some authorities on the verge of bankruptcy and others delivering skeleton services.

Post offices more often than not sat proud in their communities. One of the finest examples of the former prestige and prominence of the postal service can be found in Burslem. The Old Post Office stands on Wedgwood Place, and dates from 1937, and served the Mother Town until the late 1990s. 

The building sits next to the Queen’s Theatre, and with their impressive ashlar frontages, the two buildings form an impressive public face to the busy A50.

The building has seen various patrons since its closure as a post office – though the churn in occupation does little to promote the promotion of a sustainable community, the building’s continued use is welcome – and its current occupier is Burslem Pottery, which was originally formed as a small offshoot of Cobridge Stoneware, a sister company of Moorcroft Pottery. Burslem Pottery is currently owned by Tracy Bentley, a former artist at Cobridge Stoneware.

Burslem Pottery - current occupier of the Old Post Office

Burslem Pottery are a small outfit – it consists of a workforce of just three people – and specialise in fine ceramic art, including the unique and tremendous Six Towns vase collection. 

Burslem Pottery is another fine example of the future of the industry in its heartland: small artisan type production with a heavy emphasis on design as opposed to mass manufacturing.

The Old Post Office’s prime town centre location and the Mother Town’s Conservation Area status has probably protected the building, but its many changes in use highlights the continued fragility of Burslem’s economy – and that of town centres in general – but also a life beyond shopping. Burslem Pottery’s stamp of approval for the Old Post Office is also a stamp of approval for the Mother Town.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Dave Proudlove - December 2012