Wedgwood statue to move outside city's station

The statue currently sits between Stoke-on-Trent station and the North Stafford hotel.

A bronze statue of Josiah Wedgwood is to be moved to a position outside Stoke-on-Trent station.

Its new site should create a focal point for people leaving the station, which is currently part of an improvement scheme, planners said.

The statue of the famous potter was built in 1862 and currently stands between the station and the North Stafford hotel.

It will be restored and then re-positioned in front of the station by autumn 2025, the council said.

“Moving the Wedgwood statue is quite an undertaking but this has been carefully planned with heritage experts," the spokesperson added.

"Its new position will work with the design of the station gateway for a sense of arrival and meeting space.

“The bronze statue is a symbol of civic pride and its more prominent position will allow people to better appreciate one of the city’s greats and the unique heritage of the city as a global centre of ceramics production.”

Moving the statue was "quite an undertaking", the council said, but it had been carefully planned with a heritage expert

The statue was funded by public subscription and unveiled on the 24 February 1863.

It depicts Wedgwood holding a reproduction of the Portland Vase, a 1st Century Roman cameo glass vessel that was loaned to Wedgwood by the 3rd Duke of Portland.

Wedgwood made 50 copies in 1790, which inspired the internationally recognisable Wedgwood style and has become a symbol for the city, the authority said.

Removal work will begin on 1 July to coincide with works in front of the station entrance starting on 27 June which will involve a full six-week road closure.