Community Group of the Year nominee – Re-Form Heritage

Community Group of the Year nominee – Re-Form Heritage

A Stoke-on-Trent-based charity is transforming at-risk historic buildings for the benefit of the local and wider community.

Re-form Heritage, based at Middleport Pottery, was appointed as the Heritage Development Trust for Stoke-on-Trent in December 2023. This status is funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England to kick-start the regeneration of key heritage sites in Stoke-on-Trent.

Their past work helped save Middleport Pottery from closure, transforming it into a visitor attraction and creative centre. This was followed by the regeneration of Victorian workers’ cottages at Harper Street across the road. Plans are now advancing to transform Hanley’s Bethesda Methodist Chapel into an educational and events centre by the end of 2026.

Re-form Heritage has around 25 full-time staff and up to 50 volunteers. It is one of 12 social enterprises and charities across the UK empowered to take over and transform at-risk high street buildings by being granted Heritage Development Status. This status will see Re-form Heritage work alongside stakeholders throughout the city to help preserve Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage.

Dr Alasdair Brooks, Re-form Heritage’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We want to link justifiable local pride in this city to a global interest and global significance in its heritage and buildings.

“Our flagship heritage building, Middleport Pottery, has become our blueprint for future restoration projects and we are proud in how it attracts people of all ages from all over the world.

“We are now starting to expand our activity across the city and we will continue to explore opportunities, be positive and get things done. It’s so important to regenerate and create spaces for local communities, places that inspire, educate and connect people with their past and with an eye on the future.”

Re-form Heritage has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards 2025.