Fire-ravaged historic pub could be restored

The Leopard pub in Burslem was gutted in a fire in January 2022

Plans to restore a fire-ravaged historic pub have been submitted more than two years after it was gutted.

The Leopard in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, was the meeting place of Josiah Wedgwood and James Brindley where they discussed building the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1765.

It was also the basis for The Tiger pub in the books of Stoke-on-Trent novelist Arnold Bennett, according to Alasdair Brooks, of the charity Re-Form Heritage.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth said plans had now been submitted to restore the building’s frontage to its former glory.

At the fire's height in January 2022, some 40 firefighters were involved in tackling it.

Police subsequently arrested four men on suspicion of arson and burglary, but they were later released with no further action.

Councillor Jane Ashworth said plans had been submitted to restore the historic pub

A spokesperson for the council said the application details would be made public in the coming weeks.

Ms Ashworth said the authority had come close to issuing an enforcement notice, and blamed delays on “internal bureaucracy” and a requirement for plans to be checked by Historic England.

Of the proposed scheme, she said: “If that turns out to be viable, then that is good news for everybody."

'Beautiful, iconic building'

She admitted the process had been too slow, but added the authority would get tougher with absent landlords who allow historic buildings to become “vandalised by neglect”.

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said he had been frustrated at the lack of progress so far.

“This beautiful, iconic building – a major part of Burslem and this country’s history – sadly set alight, is now surrounded by boards and scaffolding,” he said.

At its height, about 40 firefighters were tackling the blaze

Mr Gullis called for the council to give a clear timescale to reassure local people.

A council spokesperson said the authority was regularly liaising with the building’s owner and had been doing so since the fire, more than two years ago.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said council officers were working with the owner to ensure all the appropriate information to consider the plans is submitted prior to a public consultation.