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Burslem is arguably the most historic of the Six Towns that form the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

The town centre is rich in industrial heritage but in the past two decades it has suffered from depopulation, economic decline and a lack of investment.

In recent years the town has experienced major job losses in the pottery industry and Burslem currently has several large factory sites vacant and available for redevelopment.

A 2001 report commissioned by Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) found that previous regeneration funding for Burslem had been fragmented and uncoordinated, and failed to reverse the spiral of decline.

This report identified Burslem as a priority area for future investment. Since then a number of key initiatives have been undertaken.

The most significant has been the establishment of the Burslem Regeneration Company. Established in December 2001 it is partnership of Advantage West Midlands, GOWM, the city council and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership.

The company was incorporated in 2003. In 2004 the company commissioned a detailed town centre masterplan.

Achievements to date:

• The renovation of Swan Square
• Creating 19 Live/Work units at 7-15 Queen Street (18 are occupied by new businesses)
• More than 300 homes have been built (a mixture of apartments and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses)
• The opening of an enterprise centre at Port Vale Football Club (16 businesses are now located there)
• Improvements to Burslem Park
• The creation of centre of vocational excellence in construction at Stoke-on-Trent College
• The creation of 2,700 square feet of new office space within The Old Courthouse
• The creation of eight enterprise units on Moorland Road (six businesses operating from here)
   

The town centre masterplan sets out a series of potential projects including: 

• Restoring buildings within the Burslem Conservation Area
• Improving public areas in St Johns Square, Queen Street and Market Place
• Reviewing car parking needs
• Re-branding Burslem to attract investors, entrepreneurs, tourists and new residents
• Regenerating Burslem Park through a Heritage Lottery Fund bid
• Creating a new community and nieghbourhood centre with integrated library and learning centre
• Targeting the development of vacant sites and buildings
• Regenerating the Victorian Market and Wedgwood Institute

During 2008/09 the RENEW North Staffordshire programme is supporting:

• Production of detailed masterplans for the Middleport area
• Small scale demolition of two properties on Longport Road
• Large scale clearance within the Slater Street area
• Small scale clearance of seven properties adjacent to Shirley Street
• Continuation of strategic land acquisition for residential redevelopment, in partnership with Midland Heart and Inspired Developments