‘I AM TRYING TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER TO CITY’
Wayne Walker reveals what’s brewing in vision for shopping village at potbank
BUSINESSMAN Wayne Walker is hoping to bring big-city attractions to the Potteries – after outlining his vision to transform a former pottery factory.
The butcher says the kind of things he wants to bring to Longport’s former Price and Kensington Teaport Works are much-needed in North Staffordshire.
Interest has been growing in the stunning vision for the Grade Ii*listed site after Wayne, who owns the neighbouring Wayne Walker Quality Meats, confirmed that after two-and-a-half years he’d finally struck a deal to take it on.
Now he’s explained his vision in a video uploaded to the Wayne Walker Quality Meats Facebook page.
He says work so far has included removing around 350 tonnes of rubbish and hundreds of tyres, as well as putting in new windows.
But Wayne says he is keen to celebrate the heritage of the site.
In the 16-minute clip, where Wayne gives a tour of the site, he said: “It’s a big project we are taking on and I think it’s going to be absolutely fantastic for Longport and Burslem.”
In the Facebook video, Wayne says the front will host a coffee and cake shop while the upstairs will provide apartments for staff.
The first room he shows off will be turned into a bar and grill while the large space to the left will be the cash and carry and beer warehouse. Meanwhile the upper level of that space will host gaming rooms and some retro games.
He said: “I’m trying to bring a little bit of Manchester and Liverpool into Stoke-on-trent something a little bit artisan and a little bit different.”
Through that area and into the rear and an array of rooms will eventually give way to soft play and a children’s play area – all with a Potteries theme.
Out into the rear of the site, there will be a shopping village. Buildings are being surveyed.
The scheme will be two phases. It seems likely the cash and carry space will be completed first to generate an income.
But Wayne is also hoping there’s a possibility of some grants and potentially accessing Levelling Up cash. There will also be around 130 parking spaces at the site.
The potbank dates back to the early 19th century.
It closed 20 years ago and since then it has fallen into serious disrepair, with repeated fires and fly-tipping taking place.
Historic England has placed the factory on its heritage at risk register and Stoke-on-trent City Council has previously taken action against its former owner.