‘Historic pub most important bar none’
The hostelry should not merely be regarded as a hugely historic pub, but a status symbol and a prized possession in the Mother Town
KUDOS to June Cartwright and the Our Burslem group for securing community asset status for the Leopard pub in Market Place, and well done to Stoke-on-city Council for recognising the building’s towering importance in Burslem.
What its future holds now can only be conjectured, but this is positive news at least.
The hostelry should not merely be regarded as a hugely historic pub, but a status symbol and a prized possession in the Mother Town.
In addition, it has more than played its part in recent years as a key component on the cultural scene in Burslem, staging all sorts of art and entertainment events in collaboration with Burslem History Club and other creative contributors – and yet to my mind, the pub is such a heritage icon in the town that its importance has actually been undersold and certain business and tourism opportunities not exploited.
It seems strange that we should be talking about a mid-18th century pub not having fulfilled all its potential.
If the building is gutted during redevelopment, then the opportunity to restore, revive and profit from the historic interior with its numerous upper rooms will finally be lost forever – but we should at least hope that the frontal part of the building can continue to operate as a pub.
Looking back over the past half-century, some iconic pubs that became synonymous with the areas they served – such as the Angel Hotel in Hanley, the Red Lion in Stoke, the Castle Hotel in Newcastle, and the King’s Arms in Meir – have been consigned to history.
When we lose our finest pubs, we lose ourselves. These hostelries were part of their location’s identity.
The Leopard, however – as
its links with the Industrial Revolution undoubtedly prove – is nationally valuable.
It is, in my opinion, the most important pub in the Potteries bar none.
MERVYN EDWARDS WOLSTANTON