The Old Town Hall
The old Neo-Classical style Town Hall, Burslem, built on the same site as an earlier one of 1761, between 1854 and 1857, was designed by architect, G.T. Robinson. It, in turn, was replaced in 1911.
The foundation stone was laid on May 24th 1854 by William Davenport, the potter, of Longport Hall.
The Angel, on top the clock tower really is its crowning glory.
The foundation stone was laid on May 24th 1854 by William Davenport, the potter, of Longport Hall.
The Angel, on top the clock tower really is its crowning glory.
The New Town Hall
T'he Queens Hall (Burslem's third town hall) was built in a Classical style in 1911, on Wedgwood Street, just behind the second town hall and was designed by Russell & Cooper of London. It now houses the 'Queen's Theatre'.
I found it quite dispiriting to see the level of neglect (council) and apathy (gen pop) in Burslem. I would love to blame it on council incompetence and corruption but, that isn't the entire story. The area needs massive investment to give life back to the town. What amazes me is that companies are NOT queueing up to buy land and put businesses in the area. It may no longer be the industrial titan it once was, but come on, Burslem has to be prime investment territory. You can buy a street of houses here for pennies...
In the 1952 film adaptation of Arnold Bennett's, The Card, the Old Town Hall looks impressive and imposing in several scenes (below).
