A project we can all benefit from...
WAYNE Walker, owner of Wayne Walker Quality Meats, has purchased the derelict Price and Kensington Teapot Works in Longport and has revealed ambitious plans for the site.
I had to read this Sentinel report (May 2) twice before it would sink in, as it is one of the most cheering local news stories I have read this year.
Here is a chance to completely revitalise Longport, to say nothing of the spin-off benefits there might be for Burslem up the road. The socalled ‘vision document’ seems to offer an interesting smorgasbord of mixed-use features, including various shops and a beer warehouse, though I am a little surprised that there is no mention of a canalside restaurant and spacious patio area (with optional canopy) that would draw further attention to our inland waterways heritage.
A drop-in museum or heritage centre/ tourist information centre would also be a good idea.
It needn’t be elaborate and might be incorporated in the restaurant, but it would interpret Longport’s variegated past and could signpost visitors to nearby attractions.
In fact, a fully-operational, revitalised P & K site would be superbly-placed to vigorously promote the blue ribbon heritage trail connecting Harecastle Tunnels, Westport Lake, Middleport Pottery, Festival Park and the Etruria Industrial Museum.
Some years ago, there was the flirtation with the idea of ‘re-floating’ the Burslem Canal Arm and creating a miniature version of Birmingham’s Brindleyplace.
This always seemed to me to be something of a castle in the air, but the P & K redevelopment might kickstart discussions around a Canal Quarter in the city.
When it is considered that sites such as this, the Leopard and the fire-hit building in Newcastle Street have been neglected – with horrendous consequences it makes a refreshing change for a local entrepreneur to come forward with an inspiring plan that could potentially boost not only Wayne Walker but the entire neighbourhood.
MERVYN EDWARDS WOLSTANTON