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Burslem's Second Town Hall
Burslem's Second Town Hall
pen drawing by Neville Malkin - May 1975

-click picture for more-

 


Listed Buildings in Stoke-on-Trent and area

Former Town Hall, Burslem


Area
Burslem
Street
Market Place
Heritage No.
14a
Grade
II*
Date Listed
02 October 1951
Building: Former Town Hall - used variously as a library, recreation centre and Ceramica Visitor Centre.
This building was the second Town Hall for Burslem (built on the site of the 1st Town Hall)
Location: STOKE ON TRENT  Market Place , Burslem
Description:  1854, Neo-Classic Style, Ashlar, Architect: G. T. Robinson

"on a little hill in the vast valley, was spread out the Indian-red architecture of Bursley - tall chimneys and rounded ovens, schools, the new scarlet market... and rows of little red houses with the amber chimney chimney-pots, and the gold angel of the blackened Town Hall topping the whole.
The sedate reddish browns and reds of the composition, all netted in flowing scarves of smoke, harmonised exquisitely with the chill blues of the chequered sky.
Beauty was achieved, and none saw it."

"Clayhanger", Arnold Bennett
 


Former Town Hall, Burslem
Former Town Hall, Burslem
 

photo: David Stowell - Nov 2006


Former Town Hall. 1854.

Ashlar. 2-storeyed, the main hall of 7 bays with western tower over open entrance or passage way. Baroque in inspiration. Battered ground floor of channelled ashlar with heavy moulded plinth carrying paired Corinthian pilasters to first floor which support cornice beneath parapet with pronounced overhang and frieze.

Ground floor windows set in coved recesses with keystones, tall round arched windows above. West tower has open ground floor with coved arches on 3 sides and paired Corinthian columns at outer angles. Volutes to clock tower terminate in caryatides carrying the blocking course beneath octagonal turret with ogival roof and angel finial. Eastern end divided into the bays with pilasters to first storey.

Central doorway to ground floor with coved architrave to panelled door. Upper sash windows have shell motifs as hood. Inside, double staircase with heavily scrolled iron balusters, and heavy classical architraves to doorways.

Main chamber at first floor level, with Corinthian pilasters articulating the walls, coved ceiling with elaborate wrought-iron ties.


1893 picture of Market Place and the Town Hall
1893 picture of Market Place and the Town Hall
This picture taken from Fountain Place,
St Johns Square to the right and Westport Road (was Liverpool Road) to the right.

 1893 description of the Town Hall
 Details of the first Town Hall
 OS Map showing location of Town Hall


2000 photo of the second Town Hall
2000 photo of the second Town Hall

In the foreground is a stature of Sir Henry Doulton
In the left background is the Queens Theatre which was
 built in 1911 as Burslem's 3rd Town Hall

The clock tower - minus the 'Angel'
The clock tower - minus the 'Angel' - 1998
when this photo was taken the winged figure had been
removed for restoration.

The 'angel'
The 'angel'
Removed from atop the Burslem old Town Hall in February 1998
whilst refurbishment work took place for the Ceramica project.
The angel was on display in the Potteries Museum, Hanley
and then at the Royal Doulton Visitor in Burslem.

In December 2000 the angel was taken to the premises
of Bailey International Steeplejacks in Macclesfield
for restoration and re-guilding. 


1875 photograph of the Town Hall
1875 photograph of the Town Hall
This photo taken from Fountain Place end of Market Place
Behind the Town Hall can be seen the Burslem Meat Market


Town Hall and Meat Market (foreground)
Town Hall and Meat Market (foreground)
from Wedgwood Street/Moorland Road
The Meat Market was built some 10 years after
the second town hall, on the site of the previous market.
It was demolished in 1958 and replaced by a 
bandstand and a small garden. It is now the entrance
to Ceramica.



The atlas figures have naked torsos, their lower body and legs
have been replaced by a large scroll-like feature,
their arms reach up over their heads to support the bell tower.

on the Atlas Figures


Burslem Town Hall
Sid Kirkham

 

 


next: The Big House, Burslem
previous: Shop Premises, Market Place, Burslem
 

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