Council pressure leads to new plans for historic Leopard Hotel

Sustained pressure from Stoke-on-Trent City Council has resulted in a new planning application being submitted for one of the city’s most important historic buildings

The Grade II-listed Leopard Hotel in Burslem played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution and was once known as the “Savoy of the Midlands”. It was badly damaged by a major fire in January 2022.

The application from the building’s owners follows continued pressure from the council for them to take action and comes as wider work continues to tackle neglected historic properties in private ownership across Stoke-on-Trent.

The proposed development sets out a range of options, dependent on the building’s condition after safety works, with a clear focus on retaining and restoring as much of the historic fabric as possible, including the landmark frontage.

The Leopard occupies an important place in the story of the Industrial Revolution. In 1765 it hosted the first meeting between Josiah Wedgwood, Thomas Bentley, Erasmus Darwin and James Brindley, which ultimately led to the construction of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The council has identified protecting heritage buildings as a key priority as part of its response to the city’s heritage emergency. Bringing prominent historic buildings back into use helps preserve the city’s heritage, support regeneration, attract investment and strengthen local economies.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure, planning and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:

“The Leopard is one of the most important historic buildings in Stoke-on-Trent and its future matters not just to Burslem, but to the wider city.

“We have consistently made it very clear to the owners that we expect to see meaningful progress and that we will not hesitate to use enforcement powers where necessary.

“It is essential that any proposals are of a suitable standard and we will now assess the application in detail before making a decision.

“We hope these proposals prove to be acceptable, realistic and deliverable. If that is not the case, we will not hesitate to use all powers at our disposal to secure the future of the building, up to and including carrying out remedial works and recovering the costs from the property owner.

“Saving heritage buildings like The Leopard is as much a major economic driver as protecting bricks and mortar. These buildings help define the character of our towns, support regeneration and can play an important role in attracting investment, visitors and new opportunities into our communities.

“Plans are welcome, but physical progress is what matters. We have a clear expectation that this site is not allowed to deteriorate further and we will continue to use all powers available to us to secure its future.”

The plans will be published in due course and residents will have the opportunity to comment.