Tunstall’s Historic Buildings Need Your Support

Planning Committee Coming Soon — 15th July at 10am

The future of the former Library, Public Baths & Drill Hall will soon be decided. For years these landmark buildings have stood empty. Every year they continue to deteriorate through neglect, vandalism, arson and anti-social behaviour.

The upcoming Planning Committee represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure their future through a major regeneration scheme combining heritage restoration, new homes, leisure facilities and significant private investment.

If this opportunity is lost, it may not come again.

What happens if nothing changes?

Continued deterioration of historic buildings. More vandalism, anti-social behaviour and arson. Empty buildings remaining in the town centre. Loss of investor confidence in Tunstall. A missed opportunity for jobs, investment and regeneration.

What this scheme will deliver:

Restoration of Grade II Listed heritage buildings. £Millions of investment into Tunstall. 39 high-quality new homes. Café, restaurant and rooftop bar. Spa and wellbeing facilities. Attractive new public spaces. More visitors supporting local businesses. A catalyst for wider town centre regeneration.

Why this matters

The former Library, Public Baths and Drill Hall are some of Tunstall’s most important historic buildings. For many years they have stood vacant. During that time they have become increasingly vulnerable to vandalism, arson, anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping. Water ingress and years of neglect have caused serious deterioration, with mould, decay and damage affecting significant parts of these historic buildings.

Without investment, this decline will continue.

A rare opportunity

This proposal combines public funding with significant private investment to secure the long-term future of these buildings. Extensive work has already taken place behind the scenes to make redevelopment possible, including assembling the land needed for the scheme and relocating the electricity substation that has prevented development for many years.

Opportunities like this are rare. If this investment cannot be secured, there is a real possibility that funding and private investment will instead be directed towards regeneration projects elsewhere.

Investing in Tunstall’s future

This proposal is about far more than restoring old buildings. It is about creating confidence in Tunstall, attracting future investment, supporting local businesses, increasing activity in the town centre and giving these landmark buildings a sustainable future.

How you can help

The Planning Committee will shortly decide the future of this important regeneration project. If you believe these historic buildings deserve a future, please support the application and make your voice heard.

Together we can help secure the future of Tunstall’s heritage.

Where: Former Library, Public Baths & Drill Hall, High Street, Tunstall, ST6 5AG

Planning application reference: 25/FUL/00513 / 25_LBC_00515

View the application and documents online via the Stoke-on-Trent Council website.

Please support the regeneration of Tunstall’s historic heart.

✗ What happens if nothing changes?

✗ Continued deterioration of historic buildings
✗ More vandalism, anti-social behaviour and arson
✗ Empty buildings remaining in the town centre
✗ Loss of investor confidence in Tunstall
✗ A missed opportunity for jobs, investment and regeneration

✓ What this scheme will deliver

✓ Restoration of Grade II Listed heritage buildings
✓ £Millions of investment into Tunstall
✓ 39 high-quality new homes
✓ Café, restaurant and rooftop bar
✓ Spa and wellbeing facilities
✓ Attractive new public spaces
✓ More visitors supporting local businesses
✓ A catalyst for wider town centre regeneration

Q4 2025 Update

A full planning application has now been submitted, and we are excited to announce that work is set to begin on the project in early 2026.

Tunstall, we have exciting news!

We are thrilled to announce that we are preparing plans to restore the cherished Grade II listed baths and library.

The proposal has been carefully designed to ensure that the setting of the listed building is retained as well as maintaining and enhancing the local area.

The application proposes the conversion of the buildings to provide 39no. apartments, a new open commercial space, public cafe, restaurant & rooftop bar, a spa pool in the former baths building, with a gym & dance studio.

You can locate us at Tunstall Public Library and Public Baths, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent ,ST6 6BL.

See Our Plan

Background

This collection of buildings dating from circa 1890 comprise a set of public buildings forming a variety of public purposes. These included a library and reading room, museum and science institute within the buildings fronting the Boulevard and Scotia Road. Within the building on Greengates Street was a fire station and baths building for washing oneself and with a swimming pool to the rear for exercise.

The separate building group at 17-19 Greengates Street is known as the Drill Hall and was used for voluntary army training as a contemporary form of territorial army reservists.

Interested in history? See more here

Consultation

You are invited to visit the exhibition at Tunstall Town Hall on the 3rd 12pm to 4pm and 4th of September 4pm to 8pm. This event offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the upcoming plans and developments. Members of the project team will be present throughout both days to engage with visitors, provide detailed explanations, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Whether you are looking for specific information or simply curious about the project, this exhibition is the perfect place to connect with the team and get involved in the conversation.

Want your say? See more details about consultation