Stoke-On-Trent Culture
Ceramics may be its signature product, but the city also boasts an abundant industrial heritage which is honored through various museums, factories and galleries.
City highlights in Potteries include Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall as well as Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. Furthermore, this city is well-known for its football team and signature oatcake.
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery boasts one of the world’s greatest ceramic collections and numerous art exhibitions each year, along with hosting its namesake Staffordshire Hoard gold treasure. Additionally, its rotating collections attract art enthusiasts from across the nation.
This museum boasts an outstanding collection of fine and decorative arts, costume, local history, archaeology and natural history. Additionally, the world-famous Staffordshire ceramic collection and R J Mitchell-designed Spitfire are part of its exhibits.
The museum strives to offer an accessible experience for all its visitors and is focused on reaching a widest possible audience. Recent audience surveys reveal that they have drawn in significant numbers from lower income groups (C2DE). They have also taken an innovative approach towards interpretation using digital technology and creative interpretation methods; their collections and approach are helping shape heritage museums and art galleries throughout England.
The New Vic Theatre
Established in 1962 by acclaimed Stoke-on-Trent playwright Stephen Joseph, The New Vic Theatre stands as his legacy today as one of Europe’s first purpose-built round theaters with seating capacity for approximately 600 guests. Additionally, its archive contains photographs documenting productions between 1962 and 1998 as well as 25 shelves holding reel tapes and audio cassette tapes comprising over 1000 hours of research audio recordings.
Jill Rezzano, head of the New Vic’s Education department, emphasizes how theatre can reach out to all segments of their community throughout their lives. Recently she collaborated with Springhead Primary School – which already had strong ties to the theatre – and understood its value for learning through drama.
Due to public money making up half of their income, there was concern that cuts would significantly diminish their work. Luckily, however, it has been confirmed that their subsidy will not be reduced completely.
The Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a commercial theatre located in Stoke-on-Trent that brings big name shows to this historic city. Open since 1999, this theater now plays host to events and acts such as Glyndebourne touring opera. Furthermore, it boasts an engaging program and cutting-edge facilities; commitments made towards accessibility.
W. E. Trent designed this building for Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Limited as a steel-framed structure clad in brick and faience with rusticated elevations to Piccadilly and Cheapside; its upper facade boasts masks representing comedy and tragedy.
Robbie Williams and Slash were both born in the Potteries. This city boasts an active music scene with venues like Golden Torch and Shelley’s Laserdome as well as its vibrant Northern soul scene and numerous music festivals hosted throughout the year. Additionally, its post-industrial landscape makes it an attractive location for filmmaking projects such as zombie apocalypse flick The Girl With All the Gifts.
The Emma Bridgewater Factory
Emma Bridgewater’s iconic tableware and mugs have become an emblem of Stoke-on-Trent culture worldwide, instantly recognisable across homes worldwide. Though her business has now expanded internationally, Emma continues to manufacture in Stoke-on-Trent rather than outsource production abroad; her commitment to supporting British manufacturing has further cemented its place as a champion.
Many locals view touching pottery as more than simply an aesthetic experience – it’s part of an important ritual, whereby they ‘turn over’ an object to determine its authenticity through checking its backstamp.
Visitors seeking an in-depth view of the factory operations can participate in hour-long factory tours to observe skilled artisans behind each stage of production – the jiggers, jolliers, fettlers and casters – at work. In doing so they can reenact turning over as a way of reconnecting with past traces and dreamed-of future ones.
The Barewall Gallery
Stoke-on-Trent is home to numerous art galleries, such as the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, theatres, event venues, concert halls – such as Victoria Hall – as well as being known for its vibrant culture. Many writers based here find inspiration in North Staffordshire countryside for their stories; as well as being home to Arnold Machin, Arthur Berry, Glenys Barton as artists originating here.
The Barewall Gallery in Burslem is an independent art gallery run by Amanda and Paula Barewall who are passionate about its culture. Refurbishing their gallery using recycled materials – including Georgian floorboards – was also part of this couple’s plan as they believe that cultural arts play a vital role in its future development.
The Golden Torch nightclub
In the 1960s, Stoke-on-Trent was at the heart of Britain’s Northern soul scene. Tunstall’s Golden Torch Club served as a major center of Northern soul music – originally catering to Mod culture before transitioning into hosting northern soul enthusiasts like Peter Stringfellow himself.
The Golden Torch Club on Hose Street opened in 1965 and quickly became a magnet for mods. Additionally, many Northern Soul acts such as Edwin Starr and Fontella Bass performed there – one especially memorable gig took place on December 1972 and was recorded live for posterity with “Major Lance at the Golden Torch”.
The Golden Torch nightclub was an acclaimed establishment that closed due to a variety of issues such as drugs and crowding in 1973, leaving an indelible mark on its legacy – its logo has since become one of the iconic symbols of its city of origin.
Shelley’s Laserdome nightclub
Shelley’s Laserdome nightclub stands out in a city filled with music and theatre groups as one of its most legendary institutions. At the center of house and rave culture in the early ’90s, this club played an essential role in DJ Sasha’s rise as well as regular appearances by Carl Cox.
Trouble immediately ensued at the club and police launched Operation Patriot to combat drug dealing within. Over time, hundreds of individuals were arrested on drug-related charges at this club.
After fighting police and local council for several months, Shelley’s Laserdome management finally decided to close. Their final night took place on 31 October 1992 with Mickey Finn as guest DJ; soon thereafter it would be demolished to make way for regeneration in Stoke On Trent; now there stands a Lidl store on that location.
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams has long been an enthusiastic proponent of Stoke-on-Trent culture, having grown up there himself and often talking fondly of it. A member of Take That until later becoming a solo artist himself, as well as working in film and television as well.
At home to over 9,000 businesses, Leeds is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading cities for business start-up. Thanks to its low costs of living and excellent transport links, it provides the ideal environment for new companies launching. Indeed, KPMG ranked Leeds the best location in Britain for doing business back in 2004!
City residents take great pride in their literary scene and its literary publication The Sentinel newspaper, while also producing notable authors such as Pauline Stainer and Elijah Fenton (including Britpop band Oasis). Residents share a strong sense of community spirit and take great pride in calling this area home.
Slash
He used an edged weapon to cut through the tire, leaving behind a gaping hole.
Stoke-on-Trent is well known for its pottery and ceramics industry, yet offers much more. There is an eclectic array of restaurants serving cuisines from across the world as well as being well known for its Staffordshire oatcakes.
Stoke-on-Trent is renowned as a hub of art and culture, boasting multiple theatres and museums. Additionally, music enthusiasts visit regularly due to the presence of musicians like Lonnie Cook (known as Legendary Lonnie) and Havergal Brian who hail from here. Additionally, Stoke Creates ( the city’s cultural compact) recently unveiled Cascade; their aim being to make Stoke more attractive for investors and residents.
