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| Pinsent Masons provides pro bono support to heritage scheme International law firm Pinsent Masons supported The Prince's Regeneration Trust acting by its subsidiary United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust "(UKHBPT") in its acquisition of Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent. The Prince's Regeneration Trust will manage and deliver this £7.5million project on behalf of UKBHPT. Burgess, Dorling & Leigh (a subsidiary of Denby Holdings) the Pottery company based in Middleport produces the world renowned Burleigh brand of blue and white floral pottery. Middleport Pottery has been at serious risk of closure which would have seen the loss of jobs and substantial buildings of historic significance would have been left to further degenerate. The Prince's Regeneration Trust will renovate the Grade II listed buildings, which are over 150 years old, and will lease approximately half of the site back to Burgess Dorling & Leigh for pottery production. Thus the site will continue to be used for its original industrial purpose, traditional skills will be preserved and Victorian machinery and other historical artefacts will be saved. The majority of the remaining buildings at Middleport will be developed, modernised and let to other craft businesses. This will stimulate regeneration in the area by increasing employment opportunities and attracting new business. A major visitor and education centre will also be developed which will create jobs and allow local people and visitors to learn about the history and inner workings of the one of the last Victorian potteries in Britain. This acquisition has been made possible through funding from English Heritage, the Regional Growth Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and several substantial private donations and significant support from Pinsent Masons and others. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |