The project aims to redevelop and restore the Grade II-listed Enson Pottery Works in Longton as part of the creation of CoRE - a national centre of excellence for the construction industry and allied trades.

Spearheaded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in association with Stoke-on-Trent College and internationally renowned sustainable building organisation, the BRE, the project has been awarded development funding of £11,500* by HLF to help CoRE progress their plans to apply for a full grant of £761,500 at a later date.

The CoRE project will see an historic building brought back to life. The building which will house CoRE is the Enson Works, in Chelson Street, Longton, a Grade II-listed pottery works dating from 1843. The building is owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and features four prominent bottle ovens – a rare survival of our ceramic heritage.

It is hoped the development will be the catalyst for further regeneration of this area of Longton and will also feature a Stoke-on-Trent College technology centre for training local youngsters as well as construction related tradespeople in sustainable construction methods which is due to open in December.

The proposed works to the Enson Pottery Works forms part of a wider £11.4million scheme on the site to create a Centre for Refurbishment Excellence. CoRE will be an impressive ‘living refurbishment’ demonstrator and will feature exhibition space and a national training facility in the techniques and materials needed to refurbish the UK housing stock to the highest modern standards.

Councillor Ruth Rosenau, a member of the CoRE Board and Stoke-on-Trent City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. The former Enson Works and the historic bottle kilns will be brought back to life for a new generation to appreciate and use, while fulfilling a much needed role as a pioneer of the sustainable construction agenda."

Explaining the importance of the HLF support, Anne Jenkins, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: “We’re extremely pleased to give initial support for this scheme to bring the Enson Pottery Works to life as part of the Centre of Refurbishment Excellence, and the potential it has for offering training opportunities to young people. We look forward to receiving the application for a full grant in the future."

Notes to editors

*A first-round pass means the project meets HLF criteria for funding and HLF believes the project has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. Having been awarded a first-round pass, the project now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award.

On occasion, an applicant with a first-round pass will also be awarded development funding towards the development of their scheme.

CoRE (the Centre of Refurbishment Excellence) provides a one stop, national centre of excellence, for the construction industry and allied trades as they work towards a low carbon future. www.core-skills.com

The need to cut carbon and save energy presents many challenges for industry. In the housing sector, renovation and retro-fitting older homes and commercial buildings with the latest energy saving solutions will be crucial to the achievement of government targets.

CoRE will provide a holistic solution involving the re-skilling of the UK’s workforce to meet the demands of a low carbon future and provide the building industry with a range of opportunities for research, training and development in a changing world.

The centre will showcase the latest sustainable building solutions and provide its customers with the knowledge needed to embrace the new technology and techniques necessary to provide retro-fit solutions for the country’s homes and commercial buildings.

The project is collaboration between Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Stoke-on-Trent College, the BRE and private industry. 

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.7billion across the UK.

Further information

Joanne Hine or Nigel Howle at Plinkfizz on 01782 284 616 or jo@plinkfizz.co.uk.  

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401 937 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk