Former town hall could be turned back into hotel

Simon Edwards said he had now picked up the keys to the former Hanley Town Hall

Part of a former town hall could be turned back into a hotel and wedding venue, under plans by its new owner.

Simon Edwards, director of Heronceau Properties, got the keys to Hanley Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, last week and said he was hoping parts of the building could ultimately be opened up to people, including a creative space in the cellar to "showcase" the city.

The interior of the building was mostly "ready to go" for pop-up events he said, adding that people would be invited to have their say as part of the planning application process.

The first event as part of the relaunch is a Christmas carol service on 19 December in front of the building.

Laura Mellor, who is organising the event, said as well as a choir and brass band, it was a chance for people in the city to "come together".

The building started life as the Queen's Hotel in 1869 and was most recently a wedding venue until it closed in October 2020.

Mr Edwards said the team had had a vision for the future of the site, but many other people had also offered their own ideas.

Referring to work to save a number of empty buildings in Stoke-on-Trent, he said there were "some great things" happening in the city but that a "common vision" was needed to bring about future investment in the city.