New gates to protect historic Stoke Town Hall from anti-social behaviour

New heritage-style gates are being installed at Stoke Town Hall to tackle anti-social behaviour, improve security and restore a feature of the Grade II* listed building.

The improvements will deter anti-social behaviour, enhance security and create a safer environment for everyone who uses the building.

The work to the building’s portico on Glebe Street will take place this weekend (Sunday 6 September).

The work follows ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour around the Grade II* listed Town Hall and forms part of efforts to create a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses the site.

Although the Town Hall portico is no longer the building's main entrance, the doors continue to be used during civic events, weddings and other functions.

Gates were part of the original design before being removed several decades ago, meaning the new gates actually restore a feature of the historic building.

Market and Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent: lithograph'East Front of the Intended New Market and Town Hall, Stoke-Upon-Trent, Dedicated to the Subscribers,' [built 1834-5]. Showing the elevation of the east front. A classical building with a central portico ...View Full Resource on Staffordshire Past Track

The new gates have been carefully designed to complement the building's historic character while providing an additional layer of security.

A second heritage-style gate will also be installed between the Civic Centre and The Glebe public house. The gate will not be attached to the historic walls and will provide a secure area for staff entering and leaving the Civic Centre outside normal operating hours.

The scheme has been carefully designed to protect the Town Hall's historic fabric. The gates will be fixed into mortar joints rather than the stonework itself, and the council's heritage architect has worked closely with the installation team to agree a methodology that safeguards the building's significant features.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: "People tell us they're fed up with seeing anti-social behaviour affecting our public spaces. They want cleaner, safer and more welcoming places, and that's exactly what we're delivering.

“Stoke Town Hall is one of the city's most important civic buildings and a key part of our heritage, so it is vital that we take steps to protect it and the people who use it.

"Reinstating these gates will help us address anti-social behaviour, improve security for staff and visitors and create a more welcoming environment around the Town Hall and Civic Centre.

"This project forms part of our wider work to tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and create cleaner, safer and more welcoming public spaces across the city."

The works are being funded through the Government-backed Design Out Crime scheme and support wider efforts to improve safety and security across Stoke-on-Trent's town centres and public spaces.

The work will require a temporary pavement closure on Glebe Street immediately outside the Town Hall entrance. Disruption will be kept to a minimum and the installation is expected to be completed within the day.